Ghanaian-UK entrepreneur Derrick Abaitey says young people do not have to choose between formal education and entrepreneurship, arguing that both can play important roles in building successful careers.

Speaking on The Career Trail on Joy Learning TV and JoyNews, the founder of Konnected Minds said education provides a strong foundation, but students must also develop practical skills and learn how to create opportunities for themselves.

Abaitey noted that several successful entrepreneurs, including Mark Zuckerberg, started building businesses while still in school, but stressed that this does not mean young people should disregard education.

“Education is good, whether it is traditional education or the education you choose to give yourself after university. But the real education is the university of life,” he said.

According to him, the true test of education begins after graduation when individuals must apply their knowledge and skills to real-world situations.

“That’s when you realise everything you learned at university, is it going to be applicable to life?” he asked.

Sharing his personal experience, Derrick said the side businesses he pursued while studying pharmacy helped him develop skills that later became useful in his entrepreneurial journey.

“While I was in school, I was doing some side hustles. It helped me. It gave me skills that when I finished university, I amplified,” he explained.

He encouraged students with entrepreneurial interests to begin exploring business opportunities while still in school rather than waiting until after graduation.

“If you are that person listening to me, I’m saying, while you’re in school, start selling something. And if you feel like school is not for you, start a business. Otherwise, you are coming to join the queue,” he advised.

However, Abaitey maintained that education remains an important asset and urged young people who have access to schooling to take advantage of it.

“Stay in school, young boy, because your parents have paid for you to stay in school,” he said.

He added that although entrepreneurship has become more financially rewarding for him, his educational background remains a valuable safety net.

“Business is paying me more than being an employee did, but it’s also a fallback. Should the business not work, I can still go back to work because I have my certificate and the qualification I earned from school,” he stated.