The Hidden Value in ‘Useless’ Degrees

When Reno Omokri, former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, declared on social media that some university degrees — especially those outside the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) — are “useless,” it sparked intense debate across Nigeria’s educational and professional circles.
In a post shared via his X handle, Omokri argued that courses like sociology, political science, business administration, and English language lack market relevance in today’s AI-driven world. “It’s not about passion anymore,” he wrote. “It’s about survival and value.” He likened STEM degrees to gold medals in the Olympics, towering over the supposed bronze-standard of art-related disciplines.
But are these degrees truly useless, or is their value simply misunderstood?
Experts and professionals across sectors beg to differ. Dr. Isioma Edeh, a lecturer at the University of Ibadan’s Department of Philosophy, said, “Degrees in the humanities and social sciences are foundational to critical thinking, governance, and societal progress. You can automate code, but you can’t automate empathy, ethics, or vision.”
Indeed, history supports this. Some of Nigeria’s most respected leaders studied courses that Omokri now dismisses. Former President Obasanjo studied theology. Prof. Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature, built his global legacy through a degree in English. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, another global literary icon, studied communication and political science.
These fields are the breeding ground for policy shapers, civil society activists, media innovators, and cultural influencers — all of whom play critical roles in a functioning democracy. Media moguls, from Mo Abudu to John Momoh, carved empires with backgrounds not rooted in engineering or data science but in arts, communication, and social sciences.
Moreover, even the rise of artificial intelligence — the same tool that is supposedly pushing STEM to the top — relies on ethical frameworks, storytelling, and human-centred design, all rooted in the humanities.
Education is not just about employment; it’s about enlightenment and empowerment. While the labour market may currently favour tech-savvy skills, the long-term development of any nation still hinges on thinkers, reformers, writers, and visionaries.
As the job market evolves, perhaps the real question isn’t whether some degrees are useless, but whether society is investing enough to unlock their full potential.
In the end, every medal — gold, silver, or bronze — still counts toward victory.