Introduction

For decades, in an average African home, a university degree has often been regarded as the golden key to success. Parents proudly framed their children’s certificates on living room walls, and societies across the world celebrated graduates as the pinnacle of achievement. But fast forward to today, and the picture is less certain. Tuition fees are skyrocketing, student debt has reached alarming levels, and graduates often face unemployment or underemployment in a world that now values skills more than credentials.

The paradox is glaring: while higher education continues to be hailed as the surest route to success, countless degree-holders are struggling to find meaningful, well-paying work. Meanwhile, others without formal degrees are thriving in industries like technology, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. This raises an uncomfortable but necessary question: are university degrees still valuable, or have they become an overpriced tradition clung to out of habit and prestige rather than necessity?

The Case for Degrees: Why They Still Matter

Despite the skepticism, university degrees retain undeniable value. At their core, degrees provide a structured foundation of knowledge. While YouTube tutorials and short courses can teach you skills, universities cultivate critical thinking, research ability, and academic discipline. These are not always glamorous, but they remain vital in many careers and in problem-solving more broadly.

Certain professions also cannot function without degrees. Medicine, law, engineering, architecture, and other academia require rigorous training and regulated qualifications. A self-taught surgeon or “YouTube lawyer” is unthinkable. In these areas, degrees aren’t just valuable — they’re essential for public safety and professional credibility.

Universities also act as powerful networking hubs. Beyond the lectures and exams, students build lifelong friendships, connect with mentors, and access alumni networks that can open doors to jobs and business opportunities. The relationships formed in lecture halls, labs, and student associations often become stepping stones into careers.

Furthermore, degrees carry global recognition. Whether you’re applying for a job in Accra, London, or New York, a university credential still carries weight. In countries with stricter immigration systems, degrees can make or break applications for visas, scholarships, or residency. Despite the criticisms, a university degree is still viewed as a respected stamp of achievement almost everywhere in the world.

The Case Against Degrees: Cracks in the System

Yet, the cracks in the traditional university system are impossible to ignore. Chief among them is the cost. In many countries, tuition fees have spiraled out of reach. Students across thr African continent usually end up being graduates who are struggling to pay debt. In countries like Nigeria or Kenya, where tuition is lower, the burden still weighs heavily because of economic realities and limited financial aid. Families often sacrifice immensely to send a child to university, only for that investment to not yield proportional returns.

This leads to the second problem: graduate unemployment and underemployment. The assumption that a degree guarantees a job is no longer true. Universities are often disconnected from the realities of the job market, producing graduates in oversaturated fields while industries desperately need skills in other areas. As a result, many graduates end up in roles unrelated to their studies, or worse, unemployed.

The skills gap is another glaring issue. Employers increasingly demand practical, hands-on abilities, while many degree programs remain overly theoretical. A computer science graduate, for instance, may leave university with a strong foundation in algorithms but little exposure to real-world coding or software development. In contrast, someone who attended a six-month coding bootcamp may be more job-ready.

Finally, alternative paths are emerging. Online courses, vocational training, and bootcamps provide targeted skills at a fraction of the time and cost of a degree. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy are democratizing education, allowing anyone with internet access to learn everything from digital marketing to data science. This begs the question: if practical skills can be learned faster and cheaper elsewhere, why should a degree still be the default route?

Real-World Shifts

The world is already shifting in response to these realities. Big Tech companies like Google, Apple, and Tesla have announced that many of their roles no longer require degrees. Instead, they look for demonstrable skills and practical problem-solving ability. In the startup world, what you can do often matters more than what’s printed on your certificate.

The gig economy further underscores this trend. Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Toptal enable skilled individuals to earn globally competitive income without ever presenting a degree. Coding, graphic design, content writing, and digital marketing are all industries where portfolios and proven ability matter more than traditional education.

There are also success stories of degree-less individuals who have transformed industries. Think of tech entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs, who left university but went on to build billion-dollar empires. Of course, not everyone will be a Zuckerberg, but their stories reflect a shift in perception: skills, vision, and resilience often trump formal qualifications.

A Middle Ground: Redefining Education

To declare degrees obsolete would be shortsighted. Instead, the solution lies in redefining education. Universities must adapt to a changing economy by introducing blended learning models that combine theory with practical skills. Collaborations with industries can ensure graduates leave school not only with knowledge but also with job-ready competencies.

Equally important is the rise of lifelong learning. Education should not end with a degree; it should be a continuous process of upskilling and reskilling. A degree can be the foundation, but individuals must remain open to acquiring new skills through short courses, certifications, and workshops throughout their careers.

Affordability is another crucial reform. Governments, universities, and private stakeholders must work to make higher education accessible without crippling debt. At the same time, alternative certifications should be encouraged as valid complements to traditional degrees. A future where individuals combine formal education with specialized skills training may prove to be the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

So, are university degrees still valuable or simply an overpriced tradition? The truth lies somewhere in between. Degrees remain vital in certain fields, continue to carry global recognition, and provide intellectual and social value. But they are no longer the unquestioned ticket to success. In a rapidly evolving, skills-driven economy, a degree is just one of many paths to opportunity.

The real shift we must embrace is this: what you can actually do matters more than the paper that says you can do it. Degrees should be seen not as the final destination, but as one tool among many in the lifelong pursuit of learning and growth.

Ultimately, the question is not whether degrees are dead, but whether societies, universities, and individuals are willing to redefine their role. Because in the future of work, the world won’t just ask, “Do you have a degree?” — it will demand, “What can you really do?”