By DAYO ADESULU
Former Vice President for Development and Strategy at Babcock University, Dr. Olukunle Iyanda, has challenged postgraduate graduands to move beyond academic qualifications, declaring that certificates alone are no longer enough to guarantee career success in today’s highly competitive world.
Delivering the convocation lecture at the 15th Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony of Babcock University, Dr. Iyanda spoke on the theme, “Make a Choice: The End of Easy Advantage.” He told the graduating students that while educational qualifications may create opportunities, they cannot sustain long-term success without character, competence, and value creation.
‘A Certificate May Open a Door, But It Cannot Keep It Open’
According to Dr. Iyanda, the era when possessing a university degree automatically guaranteed employment or career advancement has ended.
He stressed that graduates must distinguish themselves through discipline, responsibility, moral courage, and their ability to solve real-life problems.
“Certificates or degrees may open doors, but they cannot sustain them. You need to beat your own drum. And the drum is your potential,” he said.
He urged the graduands to embrace resilience, noting that lasting success often comes through perseverance rather than shortcuts.
Knowledge Is Everywhere—Problem Solvers Are Rare
Dr. Iyanda observed that knowledge has become widely available through technology and artificial intelligence, making academic qualifications less of a competitive advantage than they once were.
He argued that what employers and society now value most is the ability to think critically, exercise sound judgment, and provide practical solutions to difficult challenges.
He described this trend as the “law of diminishing credential advantage,” explaining that qualifications eventually become the minimum expectation as more people obtain them.
“Whatever you have achieved, add capacity to solve difficult problems. That is what people are looking for now,” he advised.
Challenge Leaders by Asking the Right Questions
The former university administrator also encouraged future leaders to cultivate the habit of asking the right questions rather than merely seeking easy answers.
According to him, people who anticipate future challenges and think beyond the present are better positioned to provide lasting solutions.
He maintained that visionary thinking remains one of the strongest qualities of transformational leadership.
Vice Chancellor Praises Iyanda’s Legacy
Babcock University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Afolarin Olutunde Ojewole, described Dr. Iyanda as an exceptional strategist, a man of integrity, and a visionary leader whose impact can be seen across the university.
Professor Ojewole noted that several landmark projects on the campus, including the convocation venue, bear the imprint of Dr. Iyanda’s contributions to the institution’s development.
Earlier, the Provost of the College of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Yacob Haliso, explained that the postgraduate convocation lecture was introduced in 2016 and has now been restored as a distinct tradition for postgraduate graduands despite the financial commitment required.
Why This Matters
As artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies reshape the global labour market, employers increasingly seek graduates who can demonstrate creativity, critical thinking, adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving skills—not merely academic credentials. Dr. Iyanda’s message serves as a timely reminder that lifelong learning, innovation, and character remain essential ingredients for sustained career success.
Keywords: Babcock University, Dr. Olukunle Iyanda, Babcock Convocation, postgraduate graduands, certificates alone no longer guarantee success, higher education, employability, leadership, career development, Nigeria education.
