Ab initio, when considering a university course of study, there are several important factors to take into account. First and foremost, it is essential to determine whether you have a genuine interest in the subject matter and are willing to dedicate at least four years of your life to studying it. Secondly, it is crucial to assess the marketability of the chosen course.
Marketability refers to the degree’s value in the job market outside of the university environment. This doesn’t mean that the course is inherently without value; rather, it suggests that the skills and knowledge gained may not directly translate into well-paying employment opportunities in the current context. This brings us to the least marketable courses available in Nigeria, which often fall under the arts and sciences departments.
The range of available degrees in Nigerian universities can be somewhat limited due to various factors. This doesn’t imply that international courses are not offered, but rather that certain disciplines studied in Nigerian colleges may not have full practical applications within the country. These courses are considered less desirable because they may not lead to lucrative careers or hold significant value in the Nigerian job market, although they may be highly valued in other nations.
It’s important to emphasize that these courses are not without merit, and individuals who have completed them can still find employment. The main challenge is that job opportunities related to their fields of study might be limited to teaching the subject in schools and universities. It is worth noting that in Nigeria, unlike in the medical field, individuals can find employment in various sectors regardless of the specific course they studied
1. Geography
Geography is a field of science that is interested in the study of features, lands, phenomena, and inhabitants of the planets and earth. The course is all-encompassing as it studies humans, nature, and objects to show how they changed and how they came to be. Geography is a course that demands a lot from the students. In Nigeria, however, it gives back to its graduates lesser than it collected from them. After studying this course in the Nigerian university, you get to work in surveying, real estate, meteorology, and emergency management.
Those who study Geography in Nigerian universities end up working in other fields as we have seen. It is less marketable in Nigeria because it does not directly pay its graduates. Graduates of this course end up scrambling for jobs and taking jobs from other fields. The course’s interdisciplinary nature allows its graduates to fit into other disciplines but provides less opportunity for its own discipline.
2. Development Studies
Development Studies is a multidisciplinary social science course that is interested in development. It has two branches; one is interested in political, social, economic, and ecological change, while the other is interested in improving the well-being of the people and sustainable use of natural resources.
It is clear that this course is not well marketable in Nigeria. On the one hand, it is not well known in the country. On the other hand, the course studies the political and cultural development of a people and prefers a solution to some of the problems. Nigeria is a country that does not accept changes easily. Job opportunities are limited and the graduates are left to fight for jobs with other disciplines.
3. Sociology and Anthropology
Sociology is the study of society, patterns of social relationships, human social behavior, and the aspects of culture that are part of the everyday life of an individual. Sociology uses empirical investigations and critical analysis to carry out its research. Anthropology, on the other hand, is the study of human cultures and how they evolved over generations. Anthropologists are interested in studying what makes human beings human and also study the different aspects of human history and life. Some universities like the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, study the two courses together, while others study them as separate disciplines.
These are good courses that fetch money for those who practice outside Nigeria. However, in Nigeria, there are limited job opportunities for graduates of this course. They do not have a variety of places to work that are solely for their discipline. By this, we can say that Anthropology is one of the worst courses one can study in Nigeria.
4. Archaeology
Archaeology does not have a good market value in the country. Archaeology is the study of past human activities through the material remains they left behind. They use these fossils and artifacts to study human history and prehistory. From the sound of this, it is well-practiced in the western world. Although Nigerians have produced good archaeologists, they still do not have many job opportunities in the country. This course is not marketable in Nigeria because it does not have a good ground and sponsorship to carry out its services and pay archeologists well.
5. Horticulture
Horticulture is the culturing of plants for food, beauty, comfort, and material. It is one of the worst courses one can study in Nigeria. Horticulturists grow flowers, vegetables, and fruits for food and ornamental purposes, but it is not valued in Nigeria. This is because anyone can cultivate all these things without attending a university. Also, Nigeria is not a country that values ornamental items. It is difficult to see an organisation hiring a horticulturist because anyone can do the job. Because of these reasons, the course is one of the least valued courses in Nigeria.
6. Crop Science
Crop Science is the science that studies crops. It has to do with the selection, improvement, and production of crops that are useful to man. It has to do with everything about planting, harvesting, and maintenance of crops.
In Nigeria, there are a lot of farmers, both educated and uneducated. If you study this course in the university, you are rarely hired for any job based on your course. The good thing is that you will start up your own farm if you wish, or get employed in another field. To spend years and money in the university studying a course you may not practice after school is such a waste of resources.
7. Library and Information Science
Library and information science is a course that studies the collection, organisation, access, and protection of information in digital and physical libraries. This course is one of the most important courses to study in the university in this computer age. However, it is one of the least marketable courses in Nigeria.
Graduates of this course end up working for meager pay or remain jobless. In Nigeria, very few people visit physical libraries. Libraries in the country are nonfunctional, and filled with outdated books. Nigerians prefer online or digital libraries to physical ones. Others do not visit physical libraries and know little or nothing about digital libraries. For this reason, this course is not marketable in Nigeria, and anyone who studies it does not have enough opportunity to be employed.
8. Physical Education
Studying fitness training as a course in the university is not a bad idea as there are opportunities for you to practise your course. It is true that opportunities abound but that is outside the country. Apart from teaching, there are little or no opportunities for graduates of this course in Nigeria.
The reason why there are fewer opportunities for this course is that it does not avail those that study it good jobs after school as they end up practicing in other fields. Another reason is that Nigerians rather be their own fitness experts than pay someone to help them with it. A few Nigerians value the course and those who studied it.
9. Animal Science
This is the study of farm livestock production and how to manage it. Those who study this course should have job opportunities, especially in agricultural producing countries. They get employed in farms and ranches among other places. Graduates of this course also have the opportunity to create and manage their own livestock businesses.
Unfortunately, animal scientists do not have a good job opportunity in Nigeria. Nigeria is an agricultural country but those who filled the livestock and animal sectors are uneducated, semi-skilled, and sometimes unskilled people. This has left the graduates of this course without a job. Some other employers prefer to employ the uneducated ones saying that they are more experienced than the educated ones. For these reasons, animal science graduates end up jobless, competing with uneducated counterparts, or working in other fields.
10. CRK/IRK
Christian Religious Knowledge (or Studies) and Islamic Religious Studies are religion-based courses. Graduates of these courses are left with little to no job opportunities considering the rate of churches and ministerial activities in Nigeria. The only readily available job opportunity for graduates of these courses is teaching jobs. Some go further to lecture in the university.
Conclusion
Studying a course with little market value in Nigeria can have several consequences:
Limited job prospects: Graduates may find it challenging to practice in their field of study since there may be limited job opportunities available. The skills and knowledge gained may not align with the demands of the job market.
2.Wasted time and money: Investing several years and financial resources into studying a course that lacks market value can be seen as a waste if graduates struggle to secure suitable employment related to their field of study.
3. Difficulty in finding employment: Graduates of less marketable courses may face difficulties when entering the labor market. The mismatch between their qualifications and available job opportunities can lead to extended periods of unemployment or underemployment.
4. Post-graduation confusion: Graduates may feel confused and uncertain about their career prospects after completing a course with limited market value. They may need to explore alternative career paths or pursue additional training to enhance their employability.
5. Higher competition for limited opportunities: With fewer job openings specifically related to their field of study, graduates from less marketable courses may face intense competition for the available positions. This increases the challenge of securing suitable employment.
It is important to note that while studying a course with little market value in Nigeria can present challenges, it does not necessarily mean that graduates cannot find employment or have successful careers. Adaptability, transferable skills, and exploring diverse career options can still lead to fulfilling professional journeys.
