Unemployment crisis: How frustrated Nigerian graduate sets fire to original certificates

By Sodiq Adelakun

A Nigerian graduate, Olutimehin Ilenre of History and International Studies from Ajayi Crowther University, has explained why he burned his original certificates. 

In a video shared on social media and seen by Nigerian NewsDirect, Ilenre stated that he set fire to his Bachelor of Arts, West African Examinations Council (WAEC), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) certificates due to a lack of job opportunities.

He added that the current state of the country has made his certificates irrelevant.

“To get a certificate in this country is like a waste of time,” he lamented.

The Nigerian graduate emphasised that even when traveling abroad, his certificates were of no value. 

He expressed his distress over the fact that he had recently realized that all the jobs he had been doing for the past 13 years did not require his certificates. As a result, Ilenre advised Nigerian youth to acquire practical skills due to the current situation in the country.

He also urged parents to empower their children to learn vocational skills and trades.

“I completed my education in 2010 and completed my NYSC in 2010/2011, but to this day, I have not utilised these certificates to secure employment,” Ilenre stated.