We've all heard the saying "Education is the key to success," but is that really the case in today's world? I used to believe it completely, but as I got older and saw how things played out in real life, I started questioning it. Yes, education is very important, but saying it is the main key to success feels misleading now.
Gone are the days when having a degree was all you needed to secure a well-paying job and a comfortable life. Nowadays, certificates don’t necessarily guarantee success. I know people who graduated with top grades, yet they are struggling to find jobs. Some aren’t even doing what they studied in school, while others are earning far less than they expected.
Take, for example, a man I know who finished from a federal university. He worked hard, got his degree, and expected that after graduation, he would find a good job in his field. But after years of searching and applying to different places, nothing worked out. He had no choice but to become an okada rider just to survive. If education was really the key to success, why is someone with a university degree struggling like this?
The reality today is that being brilliant isn’t enough to land a good, high-paying job. What truly matters is being smart and skilled. Most employers are now looking for people who can do things, not just those who have the theoretical knowledge. I personally believe that students should learn tech skills or other practical skills while in school because that could be what truly shapes their future.
The world is evolving, but our education system isn’t keeping up. It’s sad that many students will spend four, five or more years in school, graduate, and still struggle to find employment. This is why I believe schools should create a system where students can acquire practical skills alongside their formal education. If students were equipped with marketable skills while in school, they wouldn’t have to always rely only on their certificates to succeed.
Another issue is the cost of education versus the returns. Tuition fees in Nigerian universities are ridiculously expensive, yet many graduates end up in jobs that pay less than ₦200,000 per month. With the high cost of living, how does that even make sense? How can someone who spent millions on their education settle for a job that barely covers their basic needs?
To be honest, I don’t believe these jobs will bring the kind of success many of us dream of. I have actually realized that to truly succeed, we need more than just a degree—we need skills, creativity, and the ability to adapt to the changing world. Education is important, but it’s no longer the ultimate key to success. It’s just one of many keys, and without the right skills and mindset, it won’t actually unlock much.
So yes, I think the saying "Education is the key to success" needs to be revised. Education alone is not enough anymore. The key to success now is a combination of education, skills, smart decisions, as well as adaptability.
Thanks for reading.
That issue is just a headache. Most people have no choice than to settle for those less paying jobs just so they don’t stay at home, which is kind of sad.
Yeah everyone wants to be doing one thing or the other and the pressure is normally just too much.
The word is so deep now that if i ever catch that persoj who make that statement education is the key to success inswear me and him would emter one trouser i come in peace because of this statement the word is upside down
Who vex you my brother 🤣🤣. It is Africa that carry this thing most in their head it always just education all the time and that is even drawing us back as a nation.