01/03/2026
Nking Nabih,
Calling a degree from a state university “A LOW BUDGET DEGREE" is a lazy idea, not a serious argument.
In Cameroon, success has never followed school fees. It follows skill, discipline, exposure, and timing. The name on the certificate does not wake you up in the morning, and it does not defend you in a competitive job market.
There is a popular myth that private universities automatically produce better graduates. That belief is often sold, not proven. We all know graduates from expensive private institutions who disappeared after graduation, despite the hundreds of thousands paid in fees. At the same time, many graduates from state universities are building careers, businesses, and reputations through competence and persistence.
The harder truth is this. Outside government professional programs (Concours), no degree in Cameroon comes with a guaranteed job. Not from a private university. Not from a state university. Employers do not hire tuition receipts. They hire people who can think clearly, learn fast, communicate well, and solve problems.
What matters is what you did with your time as a student. Did you build skills beyond lecture notes. Did you read widely. Did you intern, volunteer, or teach yourself something useful. Did you learn how to work with people and handle pressure. These things decide outcomes, not the ownership structure of a university.
State universities are not low budget. They are often harder, more competitive, and less forgiving. They expose students to diverse backgrounds and real constraints, which is closer to life after school. Private universities can also be valuable when they are serious and well run. The problem begins when branding replaces substance.
In the end, a degree is only an entry ticket. Your performance writes the rest of the story. Anyone who believes success is purchased through school fees has misunderstood both education and life.
ATEM 🖊️
Proud graduate of University of Yaoundé I.
My so called low budget degree is internationally recognized, unlike some private institutions that operate without proper accreditation.
Education is not measured by school fees. It is measured by recognition, rigor, and what the graduate can actually do.
