All stories
Beyond the Certificate
How Nigerian Students Can Stand Out Before Graduation
Jessica Omotayo 7/1/2026 4 0
A degree used to be the finish line. Not anymore. Today, hundreds of graduates apply for the same role with the same CGPA range, and the certificate that once guaranteed a job now just gets you in the room. Standing out means starting early; while you're still in school, not after everyone else has had the same realization.
Here's how:
1. Build something real. A small business, a blog, a simple app, a community project; anything that proves you can spot a problem and act on it, not just recite theory.
2. Pick up digital skills that complement your course. Data analysis, design tools, social media management, or basic AI literacy. You don't need to code; you need to be more useful than the next candidate with the same degree.
3. Intern before it's compulsory. Don't wait for SIWES. Early exposure gives you references, real work habits, and interview stories that aren't hypothetical.
4. Show your thinking publicly. A LinkedIn post, a Twitter thread, a personal blog; consistency here builds a public portfolio employers check before they even call you.
5. Network before you need to. Join professional student bodies, attend industry events, talk to alumni. Relationships built under pressure (i.e., when job-hunting) rarely land well.
6. Learn to tell your story. Network before you need to. Grades won't set you apart at graduation; clearly explaining what you've built and what problems you can solve will.
The degree was always just the entry ticket, not the differentiator. The students who treat their years in school as a runway for building, not just a countdown to a certificate, are the ones who won't be starting from zero after graduation.