Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Nigerian degree ‘just sheet of paper’, says Emir of Zazzau

“What we are lacking today is mentorship. You don’t have to be a professor to mentor people. We should try as much as possible to impact knowledge to those behind us.”

• December 1, 2022
A composite of Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamali and girls in Quranic school used to illustrate the story
Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamali and girls in Quranic school

The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamali, says Nigeria needs leaders that will groom Nigerian youths to be responsible future leaders, pointing out that a “degree is just a sheet of paper.” 

The emir disclosed this at a Women Models and Mentors Foundation (WMM) conference.

“What we are lacking today is mentorship. You don’t have to be a professor to mentor people. We should try as much as possible to impact knowledge to those behind us, especially those that require some tutelage and technical know-how,” said Mr Bamali. “Entrepreneurship is very key. I am passionate about it, especially when it is an issue that relates to women.”

He added, “I am one of those blessed people that have girls as my children. I have four girls and a boy, so I can say I am a father of girls. We are encouraging young girls to go into entrepreneurship, especially those graduating from Islamic schools.” 

The Zazzau explained that “we always tell them to combine the two education: western and Islamic education.”

Mr Bamali stated that it “is not about getting a degree,” stressing that a “degree is just a sheet of paper.”

He said, “It is not about having multiple degrees. What have you done? What can you do with your hands? That is what matters today, not to be doing things that will not even help you in your own home. We should always try and encourage the young ones, especially women.”

Mr Bamali insisted that “there is no point going to the university to study something that will not be useful to society.”

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Boko Haram driver

States

Troops kill alleged Boko Haram driver in Yobe

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed a suspected Boko Haram driver and foiled an alleged terrorist extortion mission along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada area of Yobe.

Fire razes many shops in Lagos

Economy

Fire razes many shops in Lagos market

At least 17 shops were destroyed following a blaze that swept through Sabo Market in the Ikorodu area of Lagos early Tuesday.

Jumoke Oduwole

Economy

Tinubu govt targets higher value from non-oil exports

The federal government says it will sustain growth in non-oil exports by promoting value addition, expanding markets and improving export competitiveness.

Skyway Aviation Handling Company

Rights

SAHCO acquires emergency evacuation chair for air passengers

SAHCO announced the acquisition of emergency evacuation chairs to improve accessibility and emergency response for passengers with reduced mobility.

Bauchi has arrested Clement Anthony

States

Bauchi resident nabbed for murder

The police command in Bauchi has arrested Clement Anthony, 40, for fatally shooting Jacob Bature in the Unguwar Ngas area of Inkil.

Road crash in Abeokuta

States

Two killed in Abeokuta road crash

The Federal Road Safety Corps says two persons died in a road crash involving a Lexus car and a motorcycle at the Leme area of Abeokuta.