Many UTME Candidates Still Studying Outdated Courses – AltSchool CEO Warns: Adewale Yusuf, CEO and Co-Founder of AltSchool Africa, has raised concerns that many courses Nigerian students choose during JAMB’s Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) are no longer relevant in today’s economy.
Speaking at the Apex Tech Summit, themed “The African Digital Economy: Building the Infrastructure for the Next Billion Users,” on August 9, 2025, at the Landmark Centre, Yusuf stressed that Africa now has a rare chance to shape global knowledge and innovation.
But here’s the problem — we’re still holding on to outdated, rigid academic structures.
“What You’re About to Study is Irrelevant”
According to Yusuf, outdated university curricula are leaving graduates unprepared for the real world.
“If you’re entering school right now, for all the people who wrote JAMB… no matter the course, I’m sorry to say – what you’re about to study is irrelevant,” he warned.
He explained that the gap between what is taught in Nigerian institutions and the skills needed in modern industries is widening. The good news? Students still have the power to fix this by tapping into the many online learning opportunities available today.
Global Universities Are Updating – Nigeria Needs to Catch Up
Yusuf compared Nigeria’s education system to global leaders like MIT, which are already revamping their courses to match industry demands.
Meanwhile, many Nigerian universities are still teaching with outdated materials, often using textbooks written by authors who have since moved on to new perspectives.
His advice? Don’t just depend on your school. Learn something valuable on your own while in school.
“Over 60% of AltSchool’s students already have a Bachelor’s degree,” he revealed. “So why can’t we study these relevant skills in our universities?”
Thinking and Adaptability Are the Real Game Changers
While some fear Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take away jobs, Yusuf believes the opposite – AI will create twice as many opportunities as it replaces.
“What’s important in starting a company is not just how to build, but what to build. That requires creative thinking,” he said. “Stop running to AI for everything. The ability to think differently will set you apart in today’s world.”
Adaptability – The Skill That Never Gets Old
Seun Runsewe, founder of Security Basic Tools, also spoke at the event, stressing that adaptability is the most important skill right now.
“The biggest skill you can have today is knowing how to learn. What to learn will always change,” she explained.
Runsewe added that once you master the tools, formulas, and methods to quickly learn new things, you’ll stay ahead no matter how fast technology and industries evolve.
What you need to understand: Passing your UTME is great, but don’t stop there. The job market is changing fast, and if you want to stay relevant to employers, you need to constantly update your skills both in and outside the classroom.
