Degrees Without Sense: The Rise of Educated Illiterates

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By Professor Mgbeke

This morning, I had an intriguing discussion with a friend, and we couldn’t help but laugh (and shake our heads) at a growing epidemic of certificate inflation with intelligence deficiency. It’s almost a national crisis at this point! We have PhDs without productivity, professors without inventions, and so-called intellectuals who lack even the basic wisdom to journey through life.

These are the educated illiterates who are armed with degrees but bankrupt in common sense, native intelligence, and emotional wisdom. They can dissect abstract theories but can’t hold a meaningful conversation outside their academic bubble. They’ve mastered textbooks but are clueless about human interaction. They have all the grammar in the world, yet when it’s time for real solutions, they are as useful as a waterproof towel.

We often flaunt our certificates and formal education, using them as a yardstick to measure intelligence and worth. But in doing so, we belittle the unschooled and overlook the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. The truth is, native education provides us with the common sense and practical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of life. It teaches us wisdom, resilience, and how to apply knowledge beyond the pages of a textbook. Without it, we produce scholars who can explain the physics of fire but can’t cook a simple meal.

Let’s be honest: education isn’t just about certificates. It’s about capacity. If all you have to show for years of schooling is a framed paper and an inflated ego, then something is terribly wrong. Native wisdom, exposure, emotional intelligence, and practical experience are not “optional electives” in the real world, they are the foundation of true intelligence.

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As I always say, “A man with a degree but no sense is just a decorated liability.” Knowledge without wisdom is an expensive waste. It’s time we stop worshipping certificates and start valuing real intelligence.