Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, has advised students to go beyond academic qualifications, stressing that innovation is now the real driver of employment opportunities.
He made this known over the weekend at a matriculation ceremony held at Cosmopolitan University, where he addressed newly admitted students on the changing demands of the global job market.
According to the minister, having a university degree alone is no longer enough to guarantee employment. He emphasized that graduates must develop creative thinking and embrace technological innovation to stay relevant and competitive.
“A graduate degree doesn’t translate to a job anymore. What translates to ‘job’ is innovation,” he stated.
Udeh was represented at the event by the Director-General of the National Centre for Technology Management, Olushola Odusanya, who echoed the need for students to leverage innovation and technology to shape their future and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Carl Adams, described the matriculation as an important milestone for the new students as they begin their academic journey.
Meanwhile, the Registrar, Mani Ibrahim Ahmad, disclosed that the institution has received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to introduce additional academic programmes, further expanding its educational offerings.
