By Kabirat Olayiwola
In today’s fast-paced, certificate-driven world, we often hear the same chant: “Go to school, get good grades, get a job.” But somewhere in that race, we forget a powerful truth—sometimes, the most valuable lessons aren’t only learned in classrooms. They are discovered with our hands.
Education, in its traditional form, gives us knowledge, critical thinking, and social skills. But handwork—plumbing, tailoring, baking, carpentry, graphic design, hairdressing, shoemaking—gives us practical survival skills. The magic happens when we blend both.
Take Chiamaka, a university student studying Economics who also runs a small baking business. While she masters market theory in class, she earns real money kneading dough after school. Or consider Joshua, who learned barbing as a teenager and now pays his tuition by running a small barbershop near campus.
These stories aren’t rare. They’re the future.
With rising unemployment, even among graduates, the idea that education guarantees success is fading. Today, having a degree plus a skill gives you a competitive edge. It’s not a plan B—it’s a plan better.
Moreover, handwork teaches patience, creativity, resilience, and customer relations—skills you can’t always learn from textbooks. It builds confidence. When you know how to create something with your hands, you walk a little taller.
Schools and institutions are beginning to recognize this shift. Some now incorporate entrepreneurship and vocational training alongside formal learning. And students are realizing that knowing how to fix a broken generator can be as valuable as solving a math equation.
The goal isn’t to choose between education and handiwork—it’s to see them as partners. One sharpens your mind, the other strengthens your survival. Together, they prepare you for a world that respects both intelligence and initiative.
So whether you’re in secondary school, university, or learning on your own—ask yourself: What can I do with my hands? Because sometimes, the key to a brighter future isn't just in your head—it’s also in your hands.