Imagine spending four or five years at university, paying tuition and accommodation fees, only to discover that employers are more interested in what you can do than what you studied. For millions of students and their families, this raises an important question: will university degrees still be valuable in 2036?
Artificial intelligence (AI), online learning and changing recruitment practices are challenging traditional ideas about education and employment. While some employers increasingly prioritise practical skills, others continue to require formal qualifications.
The evidence does not suggest that university degrees will become useless. Instead, their value may increasingly depend on how effectively graduates apply their knowledge.
Do University Degrees Still Offer an Advantage?
University education continues to offer measurable employment and earnings advantages in many economies.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in its Education at a Glance 2024 report, found that full-time workers with tertiary education earned an average of 56 per cent more than those whose highest qualification was upper secondary education across OECD countries.
In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2025 that workers aged 25 and older with bachelor’s degrees had median weekly earnings of $1,543 in 2024, compared with $930 for those with a high school diploma. Their respective unemployment rates were 2.5 per cent and 4.2 per cent.
These figures demonstrate the continuing economic advantages associated with higher education, but they do not guarantee success for every graduate or establish the financial return of a particular Nigerian degree.
University education can provide specialised knowledge, professional credibility and access to careers that require formal qualifications. The question is whether the certificate alone will remain sufficient.
Employers Are Looking Beyond Certificates
Recruitment practices are changing as employers seek evidence that candidates can perform specific tasks.
In a March 2022 article published by the World Economic Forum, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky argued: “As jobs evolve and demand new skills, hiring managers need to focus less on degrees, and more on finding talent whose current skills match the role.” His statement supports skills-based hiring, but it does not mean employers everywhere are abandoning university qualifications.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, based on a survey of more than 1,000 employers across 55 economies, found that 81 per cent expected to continue relying on work experience when assessing candidates between 2025 and 2030. Meanwhile, 48 per cent expected to use skills assessments, while 43 per cent expected to retain university degrees as a hiring requirement.
These findings suggest that qualifications and practical competence can serve different purposes. A degree demonstrates academic preparation, while experience and skills assessments help employers evaluate whether candidates can apply their knowledge.
For instance, a marketing graduate may need to demonstrate campaign-planning and analytics skills, while a computer science graduate may be expected to present working projects. In both cases, practical ability can strengthen the value of formal education.
How Artificial Intelligence Could Change the Value of Degrees
AI is changing how people research, write, programme and analyse information. As these tools become more capable, employers may place greater emphasis on judgement, problem-solving and the ability to use technology effectively.
The International Labour Organization’s 2025 research on generative AI and employment estimated that approximately one in four workers worldwide was in an occupation with some exposure to generative AI. However, the research concluded that transforming existing jobs was more likely than eliminating most of them entirely.
This distinction matters. A journalist may use AI to organise research but must still verify information and make editorial decisions. An engineer may use advanced software while remaining responsible for technical judgements and safety.
The World Economic Forum’s 2025 report also identified analytical thinking as a leading core skill among employers, alongside growing demand for AI, big data and technological literacy.
By 2036, graduates who combine specialised knowledge with technological competence and critical thinking could be better prepared for changing workplace demands. However, the precise impact will depend on how AI develops and how different industries adopt it.
Some Careers Will Still Require University Education
Not every profession can replace formal education with short courses or online certificates.
Medicine, nursing, engineering and other specialised fields may require university degrees, supervised training, professional registration or licences, depending on the occupation and jurisdiction.
A short online course cannot replace the clinical training required to become a doctor. Similarly, a certificate alone may not satisfy the legal requirements for practising certain regulated professions.
Other careers, including some technical, creative and commercial occupations, may offer alternative routes through apprenticeships, vocational education, professional certifications or demonstrable experience.
The important consideration is the career a student intends to pursue. Understanding its entry requirements is more useful than assuming either that every successful career requires a degree or that degrees are no longer necessary.
What This Means for Nigerian Students
For Nigerian families, university education often represents a substantial financial sacrifice and an investment in a child’s future.
Yet obtaining a degree does not automatically guarantee employment. Graduates may struggle when vacancies are limited, employers demand experience or available jobs do not match their qualifications.
Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics reported an unemployment rate of 5.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2024. Its labour force survey recorded a rate of 9.0 per cent among people with post-secondary education, compared with 2.0 per cent among those with postgraduate education.
These figures must be interpreted carefully. The unemployment measure covers people without work who are actively seeking and available for employment; it does not capture every form of underemployment or dissatisfaction with available jobs. Nor does it prove that additional education alone determines employment outcomes.
For Nigerian students, the practical lesson is to investigate career opportunities before choosing a course, seek relevant experience while studying and develop communication, digital and problem-solving skills.
Universities also need to strengthen practical training, industry partnerships and career guidance. Online learning can expand access to additional skills, although its benefits depend partly on reliable internet connectivity, suitable equipment and the quality of available courses.
Could Degrees and Practical Skills Become More Valuable Together?
The debate often presents university education and practical skills as competing choices. In reality, combining them may offer greater flexibility.
A graduate with relevant experience, a strong portfolio and current technical skills may be better prepared for certain opportunities than someone with a degree alone. However, where a qualification is mandatory, practical experience cannot replace it.
Short courses, apprenticeships and professional certifications may become increasingly useful for developing specific skills, but their value depends on industry recognition and the quality of the training.
The most effective pathway will therefore vary by occupation. Some people will benefit from university education, others from vocational training, and many from combining formal qualifications with continuing professional development.
Is a University Degree Worth the Investment?
The value of a degree depends on its cost, the time required to complete it, the career it supports and the opportunities available to its graduates.
Students should consider tuition and living expenses, professional entry requirements, employment prospects and whether alternative training could provide a suitable route into their intended careers.
The future labour market cannot be predicted with certainty. Technological developments, economic conditions and government policies will influence which qualifications employers demand by 2036.
Nevertheless, the available evidence does not support the claim that university degrees will become universally worthless.
A degree may open the door, but practical competence, adaptability and the ability to keep learning could increasingly determine how far someone progresses.
