I just tuned into this livestream on YouTube that raises this important issue and what one of the anchors said struck me:
"Students are a reflection of their societies."
Across many Nigerian and perhaps other African universities, there's growing pressure to hustle. For many students, earning a degree no longer feels like the safest path to success, so the focus shifts to learning skills that generate income as quickly as possible.
But it raises an important question:
Can innovation thrive where curiosity is missing?
Is the challenge a lack of student motivation, an outdated education system, the pressures of hustle culture—or all three?
Maybe the conversation shouldn't just be about building more innovation hubs. Maybe it should be about building a culture of curiosity—one where students have the time, support, and confidence to explore, experiment, and innovate.
What do you think is holding innovation back in Nigerian and other African universities?
