Do you know that Professor Chinụa Achebe had no Master’s degree or PhD?
Are you aware that Prof
essor Wole Soyinka has no PhD as well?
They both conquered the world of literature and taught in different universities around the world with their Bachelor of Arts degrees. They were professors because of their works and the value they created. They taught at Ivy League Universities.
Achebe and his works, especially, remain the center for colonial and postcolonial African literary discourse. The most discussed work of literature from Africa is “Things Fall Apart” — the most translated African literature.
Their works are bigger than a PhD dissertation of any kind in African literature. Their works even produce PhD graduates instead.
What matters is what you have to offer. What’s your contribution? Truly, these men inspired my literary journey.
Don’t allow anyone to slow you down or tell you what to study. Think outside the certificate; think of what you can contribute to the body of knowledge. Yes, their time was different. It was more possible then than now. However, the same formula of value over anything exists.
Let your works speak for you!
I am not invalidating master’s or PhD, but stating that while you pursue both, think of creating something original, unique, and thought-provoking in your area of expertise. What you will be remembered for is not the PhD dissertation and master’s thesis you have written, but your original creative work that’s out there to shape the world and scholarship.
The real source is the content of your person.
I paused!
~Maazi Ogbonnaya Okoro II
