In a startling act of frustration, Olutimain Alvin, a graduate of Ajayi Crowther University in Oyo, Nigeria, recently made headlines by burning all his academic certificates. This extreme action serves as a stark symbol of the challenges many Nigerian graduates face in securing employment despite years of dedicated study.
Olutimain Alvin’s journey is emblematic of the struggles faced by numerous Nigerian graduates. After completing his education, from primary school to university, Alvin found himself grappling with the harsh reality of unemployment for 13 long years. Despite his academic achievements, he remained unable to secure a stable and fulfilling job, leading to mounting frustration and a sense of hopelessness.
Alvin’s decision to burn his academic certificates is a poignant expression of the frustration that many Nigerian graduates experience due to unemployment. The gap between educational qualifications and actual job opportunities has widened, leaving qualified individuals disillusioned and disheartened. Alvin’s story sheds light on the psychological toll of prolonged unemployment, illustrating the extreme measures some may resort to when faced with a seemingly insurmountable career impasse.
The job market in Nigeria has undergone significant changes in recent years, with an increasing number of graduates entering the workforce. However, the expansion of the labor force has not been met with a proportional increase in job opportunities. Factors such as economic downturns, inadequate infrastructure, and a mismatch between educational curricula and industry needs contribute to the challenges faced by job seekers like Olutimain Alvin.
Alvin set all his certificates from primary school to university ablaze following his inability to secure a good job after 13 years of graduation
A frustrated Nigerian graduate of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, identified as Olutimain Alvin has burnt all his academic certificates.
Alvin set all his certificates from primary school to university ablaze following his inability to secure a good job after 13 years of graduation.
In a viral video on social media, Alvin said, “I graduated in 2010 and did my NYSC in 2011. Over the past 13 years, I have not used these certificates to do anything. It is better to even be illiterate than to have useless certificates.
“What is the essence of a certificate when I have had to drag jobs with illiterates ever since I graduated”, he asked.
He added that the certificates are rendered useless even when travelling out of the country and had been unable to sleep in the last week after he recalled that all the jobs he had done for the past 13 years were jobs that rendered his certificates useless.
He, however, advised parents to ensure their children learn skills that can enhance their productivity without relying on a white-collar job.
Olutimain Alvin’s act of burning his academic certificates is a poignant reminder of the harsh realities faced by many Nigerian graduates. It is a call to action for stakeholders to collaborate on comprehensive solutions that address the root causes of unemployment and provide avenues for individuals to build meaningful and fulfilling careers. The story also underscores the importance of fostering a resilient job market that adapts to the evolving needs of society.
