A Nigerian professional, Fola Olatunji-David, has shared his frustration over being deemed ineligible for a PhD program at a Nigerian private university due to missing certain subjects in his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results, despite his extensive academic and professional background. WASSCE is an exam conducted by the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Olatunji-David, who posted his experience on X (formerly Twitter) via his handle @folasanwo, expressed disbelief at the decision, noting that a similar application abroad not only earned him admission but also led to credit transfers based on his prior education and work experience.
“For context, I have four university degrees, currently in my 18th cumulative year of full-time work—two-thirds of which have been in senior leadership roles. I have even lectured in this space. But no, I have to go back in time and write WAEC or do like two postgrads where I’d likely be the one to explain the practical of what they are teaching to them,” he wrote.
Olatunji-David, whose professional expertise spans nearly two decades, has worked in various high-level roles and has significant teaching experience in the field he intended to pursue. His rejection highlights the rigidity of certain admission policies in Nigerian universities, which often prioritize formal entry requirements over industry experience and prior academic achievements.
The post has sparked discussions about the flexibility of higher education policies in Nigeria, particularly in private universities. Some users argued that institutions should consider applicants’ work experience and professional qualifications in admissions, especially for postgraduate studies. Others pointed out that Nigeria’s educational system remains deeply rooted in traditional qualification pathways, making it difficult for experienced professionals to pursue further studies without revisiting entry-level requirements.
Despite the setback, Olatunji-David humorously admitted that he still harbors an interest in pursuing the degree. “I lowkey still want to do the degree sha,” he added.
His experience has reignited conversations about the need for Nigerian universities to adopt more flexible and experience-based entry models, aligning with global best practices in higher education.
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