On Knowledge Acquisition
Self-paced learning, unconvential training and skill Acquisition
The ability to acquire knowledge efficiently has become one of the most valuable skills any woman can possess. Whether you're starting a business, advancing your career, or expanding your horizons, understanding how to learn and apply new information is crucial for success.
MJ DeMarco emphasizes in "Unscripted" that traditional education often fails to prepare us for real-world challenges. He advocates for "self-education" - learning skills that directly impact your ability to create value and solve problems. This approach is particularly relevant for women who need practical, applicable skills.
Let me share a personal story. During the 2020 pandemic, while my university was on strike, I enrolled in an informal training program in Lagos where I learned to make dish soap, bleach, and other cleaning products. I treated it as a hobby and stored the knowledge away.
Two years later, faced with rising costs of household supplies, I decided to make my own products for home use. The cost savings were remarkable. I produced quantities that lasted for months. When I eventually turned this into a business, I revisited my notes and conducted additional research to refine my formulas. This taught me that knowledge acquisition isn't always linear - sometimes we learn skills that become valuable much later.
Self-Paced Learning: Taking Control of Your Educational Journey
Self-paced learning allows you to progress through material at a speed that suits your schedule and learning style. Unlike traditional classrooms, you control the pace. This is particularly valuable for Nigerian women who juggle multiple responsibilities including work, family, and community obligations.
I know a woman named Funmi in Abuja who wanted to learn digital marketing while managing her household and part-time job. She's a mother of three, so finding time was challenging. Through self-paced online courses, she studied during her children's nap times and early mornings. Within six months, she had enough skills to start offering social media management services to small businesses. Her client base grew steadily, and she now generates substantial monthly income from home.
Start by setting clear goals for what you want to achieve. Break large topics into smaller chunks you can tackle in 30-60 minute sessions. Create a dedicated learning space, even if it's just a corner of your room. Establish a consistent schedule that works with your routine. Use calendars, apps, or notebooks to track your progress.
Coursera provides financial aid for many courses. Khan Academy offers completely free courses in various subjects. Udemy frequently has sales where courses cost ₦2,000-5,000. Local libraries in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt provide free internet access and quiet study spaces. The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) offers flexible, self-paced degree programs at affordable rates.
Online and Distance Learning: Bridging Geographical Gaps
Online learning eliminates the need for physical presence in classrooms. You can access high-quality education from anywhere with an internet connection. The flexibility allows you to balance educational pursuits with other responsibilities while receiving structured instruction and support.
There's a young woman named Aisha in Maiduguri who dreamed of becoming a web developer. No coding schools existed in her area, but she didn't let that stop her. She enrolled in a comprehensive web development program offered by a Lagos-based tech academy. Despite being hundreds of kilometers away, she participated in live coding sessions and collaborated with classmates on projects. She received mentorship from industry professionals. Today, she works remotely for a tech startup while living in her hometown.
Establish a reliable internet connection and create a structured learning environment at home. Participate actively in online discussions and virtual study groups. Set specific times for studying and stick to them as if attending physical classes. Take advantage of recorded lectures for review. Don't hesitate to reach out to instructors and fellow students for support.
The University of Lagos offers distance learning programs through its Distance Learning Institute. Covenant University provides online courses in various fields. edX partners with top universities to offer free courses with certificates upon completion. The Tony Elumelu Foundation occasionally offers free online entrepreneurship programs for African women. LinkedIn Learning offers courses relevant to Nigerian professionals.
Unconventional and Informal Training: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Informal training emphasizes hands-on skills that can be directly applied to generate income or solve real-world problems. Unlike formal education, which often focuses on theory, informal training is practical and immediately applicable.
My friend Ngozi was an unemployed graduate who learned soap making from a neighbor in her Lagos community. What started as casual observation during weekend visits became comprehensive understanding through questions, notes, and practice in her own kitchen. She later attended a three-day workshop at a local skill acquisition center, where she learned advanced techniques. Within six months, she had established a small business supplying cleaning products to households in her neighborhood. The income supported her family while she job-hunted.
Approach informal learning with the same seriousness as formal education. Come prepared with questions. Take detailed notes and practice regularly. Seek multiple sources of information to get different perspectives. Don't be afraid to experiment once you understand the basics. Build relationships with instructors and fellow learners - these connections often lead to business opportunities.
YouTube offers invaluable tutorials from Nigerian creators on everything from fashion design to food production. Channels like "Nigerian Small Business Ideas" provide step-by-step instructions. Local skill acquisition centers, often run by state governments or NGOs, offer affordable training programs. Markets like Alaba International Market in Lagos and Wuse Market in Abuja have artisans willing to teach their skills for small fees. Many churches and community centers organize free skill acquisition programs for women.
Trial and Error for Practical Learning: Embracing Experimentation
Trial and error is one of the most authentic forms of learning. Knowledge comes through direct experience rather than theoretical instruction. For Nigerian women in business or seeking entrepreneurial skills, trial and error provides insights that cannot be gained through textbooks alone.
Understanding basic operations management becomes crucial when implementing trial and error learning for business applications. Operations management involves systematically managing resources, processes, and people to deliver products or services efficiently. Key concepts include production planning, quality control, inventory management, and cost optimization. When testing business ideas, consider production calculations such as cost per unit, break-even analysis, and profit margins. If you're testing a new food product, calculate ingredient costs, labor time, packaging expenses, and overhead costs to determine if your pricing strategy is sustainable. Balance your budget by understanding fixed costs (rent, equipment) versus variable costs (raw materials, utilities). Maintain product quality through established standards, testing procedures, and customer feedback systems.
A fashion designer I know in Ibadan named Bisi wanted to create traditional wear with modern twists. Instead of investing heavily in fabric and production immediately, she started small. She sketched designs, created paper patterns, and tested them using inexpensive materials. Each iteration taught her about fit, fabric behavior, and customer preferences. This systematic approach led to a successful product line she could launch with confidence.
Start with low-stakes experiments that don't require significant investment. Document every attempt, including what worked, what didn't, and why. Use other people's data and experiences as starting points - this reduces your learning curve and helps you avoid common pitfalls. Set clear criteria for success and failure before beginning each trial. Be prepared to iterate multiple times.
Online communities like Nigerian business forums and WhatsApp groups share experiences and data that can inform your experiments. The National Bureau of Statistics provides free demographic and economic data. Libraries and cyber cafes offer affordable internet access for research. Local artisans and small business owners often share their experiences in exchange for conversation. Many banks and microfinance institutions provide free business advisory services.
Research Skills: Distinguishing Truth from Misinformation
The ability to conduct effective research and evaluate information credibility has become increasingly important in our digital age. For Nigerian women seeking to acquire knowledge for business or personal development, developing strong research skills is essential for making informed decisions and avoiding costly mistakes.
When starting a new learning journey, one of the biggest challenges is knowing where to begin or how to progress logically from basic concepts to advanced applications. This is where sourcing roadmaps, schemes of work, and structured curricula becomes invaluable. Professional associations, universities, and training institutions often publish learning pathways that outline logical skill progression. Additionally, artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can create personalized learning roadmaps based on your specific goals, current knowledge level, and available time. Simply ask these AI assistants to create a step-by-step learning plan for your desired skill. They can provide structured curricula complete with recommended resources, timeframes, and milestone assessments. Many successful learners combine AI-generated roadmaps with human expertise by sharing these plans with mentors for validation and refinement.
Understanding how to identify credible sources is fundamental to good research. Academic journals, government publications, and established news organizations generally provide more reliable information than social media posts or anonymous blogs. When researching business opportunities, cross-reference information from multiple sources. Look for data from established organizations like the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, Central Bank of Nigeria, or reputable business publications. Be cautious of information that seems too good to be true or promises unrealistic returns.
Start by learning to formulate clear, specific research questions that guide your information gathering. Use multiple search engines and databases to ensure comprehensive results. Don't rely solely on the first page of search results. Learn to evaluate sources by checking author credentials, publication dates, and whether information is supported by evidence. Practice synthesizing information from multiple sources rather than relying on single sources.
The National Library of Nigeria provides access to databases and research materials. Many universities offer public access to their libraries. Google Scholar provides free access to academic papers. ResearchGate allows you to connect with researchers directly. For business research, the Nigerian Stock Exchange website offers valuable economic data. Industry associations often publish free reports. Local newspapers like The Guardian, Punch, and Vanguard maintain online archives.
Information Retention and Application: From Learning to Doing
The ultimate goal of knowledge acquisition is not simply to accumulate information but to retain and apply it effectively in real-world situations. Many people struggle with the gap between learning and doing. They understand concepts intellectually but struggle to implement them practically.
Effective retention begins with active learning techniques that engage multiple senses and cognitive processes. Instead of passively reading or listening, successful learners take notes, ask questions, and immediately look for ways to apply new information. My soap making experience illustrates this principle - the knowledge remained dormant until I actively applied it to solve a practical problem. When I decided to turn it into a business, I had to actively review and build upon my original learning.
Create systems for organizing and reviewing information regularly. Use techniques like summarizing key points in your own words, teaching concepts to others, and creating mind maps that show connections between different pieces of information. Most importantly, look for immediate opportunities to apply what you've learned, even in small ways. This might involve testing a new business concept on a small scale, implementing a new skill in your current job, or sharing knowledge with others in your community.
Professional associations like the Nigeria Association of Women Entrepreneurs provide networking opportunities where you can share and test ideas with peers. Local business incubators and accelerators often offer mentorship programs and workshops where you can refine your applications of new knowledge. Community development centers and women's groups provide supportive environments for practicing new skills. Online forums and social media groups offer platforms for sharing experiences and learning from others.
Conclusion: Your Journey to Continuous Learning
Knowledge acquisition is not a destination but a continuous journey that requires dedication, curiosity, and strategic thinking. As MJ DeMarco emphasizes, the most successful entrepreneurs and professionals are those who commit to lifelong learning and continuously seek ways to add value through their knowledge and skills.
The various approaches discussed in this newsletter - from self-paced learning to trial and error experimentation - offer multiple pathways to achieve your goals. Choose approaches that align with your learning style, available resources, and specific objectives. Remember that learning is most effective when it's purposeful, practical, and applied consistently over time.
Every expert was once a beginner. Every successful woman has faced challenges and setbacks. The difference between those who succeed and those who don't is often persistence, willingness to learn from mistakes, and commitment to continuous improvement. Your journey to knowledge acquisition is an investment in yourself, your family, and your community.
Share your learning experiences and success stories with us. Let's continue building a community of empowered, knowledgeable women across Nigeria.