REVIEW: ‘Skills Rather Than Just Degrees’ by Prof. Isa Pantami

On the evening of Thursday, June 26th, 2025, I had the privilege of visiting Sheikh Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, Nigeria’s former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, and Co-Chairman of the African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council, at his office in Abuja. After a deep conversation regarding domestic and global issues, the Professor gifted us some of his books, including his most popular work, “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees.”

During our meeting, the Professor explained the motivation behind the book, especially as I brought up how it had become a debated topic in Nigeria.

I completed the book within two weeks, taking my time to ensure a deep, rather than shallow, understanding of its core message. Throughout this period, I jotted down key points for reflection. As promised, I am finally sharing this opinion article—a review that is perhaps long overdue.

Clearing the Misconception

When the book was first launched, many were quick to criticize it based solely on the title without diving into the content. This sparked a national debate, with critics interpreting the title as a denigration of academic degrees. However, Pantami clarifies that while he values formal qualifications, he stresses the vital importance of practical skills in meeting the demands of today’s job market.

It is disheartening to see how quickly people jump to conclusions without an open mind. Even in simple English, the phrase “rather than just” does not imply that one thing is unimportant; instead, it emphasizes that possessing both a degree and a skill set is far superior to having only one.

The New Currency of the Job Market

I found “Skills Rather Than Just Degrees” to be a thought-provoking read that challenges the traditional emphasis on certificates. The book highlights the growing necessity of digital literacy and advocates for an educational shift toward competencies that foster employability. Pantami argues that academic qualifications alone are no longer enough to secure a successful career; skills have become the “new currency.” He emphasizes the need for adaptability, innovation, and continuous learning.

After delving deeply into the text, the message is clear: it is about stepping up your game and carving a niche for yourself. This is crucial in the modern era.

Insights from the Recruitment Room

I often recall a conversation with my former editor, Naziru Mika’il, regarding unemployment in Nigeria. He noted that while job opportunities exist—especially in the private and multinational sectors—the problem is that many candidates do not explore these options or sell themselves effectively to employers. In other words, they may possess the required skills but lack the ability to demonstrate them during recruitment.

One of the greatest blessings of my career was the opportunity to participate in recruitment exercises at the BBC. My editors at the time—Jimeh Saleh, Miriam Quansah, and Naziru Mika’il—nominated me for “Recruitment Process” training. Following that, I sat on about ten recruitment boards. The experience was top-notch; I learned how to identify the best candidates, from the initial CV screening to the final communication.

The most shocking discovery was seeing candidates with First Class or Second Class Upper degrees submitting poor CVs. Often, the first page—which should grab a recruiter’s attention—offered nothing more than a short biography. In a process where recruiters are overwhelmed by applications, they do not have the time to hunt for relevant information. They sift through applications by looking at the first page; if it doesn’t stand out, it is discarded.

How to Stand Out

Recruiters want to see a concise short profile followed immediately by your skills at the top of the CV. However, simply listing skills isn’t enough; you must acquire the right skills that match the job description and align them with your experience.

Examples of essential soft skills in today’s market include:

These are exactly the types of skills Professor Pantami refers to. While your degree matters, it rarely guarantees a job offer without these supporting competencies.

Self-Awareness and Versatility

There is a worrying trend where people acquire skills but do not know how to apply them. This stems from a lack of self-awareness. During career training sessions I attended with Professional Development Trainers, Rani Randhawa and Hewete Hailesalase, they emphasized how crucial it is to know who you are, what skills you possess, and how to sell those strengths.

This insight changed my perspective. As a journalist, I realized I could tweak my CV to match a dozen different roles—from newsroom leadership to communications specialist, digital strategist, or PR— and even positions in companies outside of traditional media. If the job description aligns with your skills, just hit the “apply” button.

Skills Rather Than Just Degrees is a timely and insightful book. It was not written overnight; rather, it is the product of deep knowledge, a genuine concern for the future of young people, and the Professor’s extensive global engagements. His visits to Silicon Valley and other technology hubs clearly influenced his perspective.

The book takes readers through the evolution of AI innovation and explains how individuals can take advantage of it by acquiring the necessary skills required in the AI-driven economy. It also discusses partnerships and corporate responsibility, highlighting the critical roles they play in skills development, practical application, and job creation. The Professor shares concrete examples of companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Facebook, among others, that are excelling in the AI era.

Moreover, he provides useful and practical recommendations for Nigeria and other developing countries on how to improve the skills profile of their citizens and strengthen their innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.

Key takeaways from his journey include:

Thank you, Professor, for this amazing contribution. We look forward to more works that challenge and inspire us.

Saleh is the senior Editor, TRT Afrika

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