Nigeria, which is often referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” is Africa’s most populous nation with over 200 million people and a youth demographic of 60% under the age of 25 (World Population Review, 2024). Nigeria faces a paradoxical challenge: a high number of graduates yet an alarming rate of unemployment. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), unemployment refers to the portion of the labour force that is without work but is available for and seeking employment, including those who have lost their jobs and those who have left work. The youth unemployment rate in Nigeria is alarming, with recent statistics indicating more than 30% of young people aged 15-34 are unemployed. This figure is significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate in the country, which hovers around 40% (KPMG). Unemployment is a persistent challenge that has made many youths useless with no source of income.
However, some of these graduates are unemployable. Despite the growing number of higher education institutions and graduates, many Nigerian graduates remain unemployed or deemed unemployable by potential employers. In Nigeria, a graduate is defined as an individual who has completed their first academic degree at a university, polytechnic, or college of education. Even with the already populated job market, universities and polytechnics continue to produce a large number of graduates yearly. In 2014, the harsh reality of the Nigerian job market became evident when approximately 520,000 unemployed graduates applied for only 4,000 available positions in the Nigerian Immigration Service. On the day of the aptitude tests, the massive crowd led to a stampede, tragically resulting in the deaths of 16 graduates. Despite this incident, the then Minister of Internal Affairs, Abba Moro, faced no penalties from President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Instead, the families of the deceased were compensated with automatic employment slots. This incident is just one of many similar stories of employment challenges within various ministries and parastatals in Nigeria.
This is just an example of how many Nigerian graduates are stranded without a meaningful source of income. Regardless, higher institutions continue to produce graduates and as of 2019, there are 134 recognized polytechnics and 174 universities in Nigeria, which admit about 2 million students and release approximately 600,000 graduates annually.
So, why are Nigerian graduates unemployed and considered unemployable?
1. Lack of employability Skills
One of the most significant reasons for the high unemployment rate among Nigerian graduates is the mismatch between what is taught in educational institutions and the skills required by industries. The curriculum in many Nigerian universities and polytechnics is often outdated and not aligned with current industry standards. As a result, graduates lack the practical skills and knowledge necessary to meet the demands of employers. Most schools do not teach employability skills, and students, on the other hand,d, don’t take their time to learn. Schools, the government, and students should find a solution to this, if not the problem will keep
2. Inadequate Practical Experience
Nigerian education systems, particularly at the tertiary level, tend to focus heavily on theoretical knowledge with insufficient emphasis on practical experience. Many graduates leave university without any hands-on experience in their field of study, which makes it difficult for them to transition smoothly into the workforce. Internships, industrial attachments, and hands-on projects are often limited, leaving students unprepared for real-world challenges. In short, most students read to just pass their examination and come out with a high CGPA. They are not equipped practically or exposed to the reality of life situations. Upon graduation, they start thinking about how to fit into the job market because most employers are looking to employ graduates with practical experience. Most job adverts ask for years of experience, even for fresh graduates.
3. Poor Quality of Education
The quality of education in Nigeria has been on a decline due to various factors, including inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and a lack of qualified teaching staff. Many educational institutions struggle to provide a conducive learning environment, resulting in graduates who are not sufficiently knowledgeable or skilled. This poor quality of education means that many graduates are not competitive on a global scale. Also, for some lecturers in most Nigerian higher institutions, knowledge is obsolete, and so, they can only impact the students based on what they know. Therefore, they need to undergo training to be sure they are putting out what is needed in the global market when teaching.
4. Overemphasis on Certificate Acquisition
In Nigeria, there is a cultural emphasis on obtaining certificates rather than acquiring practical skills. This has led to a proliferation of “certificate mills,” where the focus is on passing exams rather than understanding and applying knowledge. As a result, many graduates possess degrees but lack the critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills that employers seek. Soke graduates also acquire some other certifications but with little or no understanding of how to apply the knowledge.
5. Economic Instability and Job Market Saturation
Nigeria’s economy has faced significant instability over the years, impacting the job market. Economic recessions, fluctuations in oil prices, and other macroeconomic factors have led to job losses and reduced hiring across various sectors. Additionally, the job market is saturated with graduates, making it highly competitive and difficult for new entrants to secure employment.
6. Inadequate Career Guidance and Counselling
Many Nigerian students lack proper career guidance and counselling, which is crucial for making informed career choices. Without adequate guidance, students often choose courses based on perceived prestige or parental pressure, rather than aligning with their interests and the job market’s demands. This misalignment leads to a higher rate of unemployment and dissatisfaction among graduates. Even after school, some of them are confused as to what step to take since their interests do not match what they studied in school. Also, for those who studied their desired course, some of them are not properly guided on how to make certain choices. Some lecturers who are appointed as advisers are not doing their job in guiding the students to make the best choices.
7. Inadequate Soft Skills
Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, are critical for success in the workplace. However, many Nigerian graduates lack these essential skills due to the education system’s heavy focus on academic performance. Employers often find that graduates are not equipped to effectively communicate, collaborate, or lead projects, making them less attractive candidates. These skills are not taught in school but in everyday life. Most graduates do not possess some of the soft skills employers look out for.
8. Corruption and Nepotism in Hiring Practices
Corruption and nepotism are pervasive issues in Nigeria, affecting various aspects of society, including the job market. Many employers favour hiring based on personal connections, ethnic affiliations, or bribes rather than merit. This practice excludes qualified candidates who lack the necessary connections, leading to widespread frustration and unemployment among graduates. In fact, before putting out job adverts for the masses, some of these employers have people ready to fill up these roles and the job adverts are mere formalities.
9. Insufficient Entrepreneurship Education
While entrepreneurship is often touted as a solution to unemployment, Nigerian educational institutions do not adequately prepare students to start and run their businesses. Entrepreneurship education, where it exists, is often theoretical and does not provide the practical skills needed to navigate the challenges of starting and sustaining a business. As a result, many graduates are reluctant or ill-prepared to venture into entrepreneurship.
10. No plans after the compulsory one-year service
Many graduates embark on their mandatory one-year NYSC programme without any plans for what comes next. The NYSC programme should be an opportunity for self-discovery for those lacking the necessary skills to navigate the job market. During this time, some are encouraged to engage in skill acquisition programmes to better equip themselves practically and consider entrepreneurship, given that there are not enough jobs to go around. Graduates are aware that once the programme ends, they must fend for themselves, as the government does not have measures in place to integrate them into the workforce. However, the reality is that many view this year as a time to do very little while collecting their monthly stipends.
In conclusion, the joy of many parents is to see their children graduate and start working immediately, however, the situation in Nigeria proves otherwise. The bitter truth is that graduating, even with the best result in Nigeria, does not guarantee any hope of landing a well-paying job. Also, some people who are employed are often underpaid. At the end of the day, most of them take to teaching, thinking it is their last resort with little or no passion and lack of classroom skills. However, this makes the teaching profession filled with low-quality graduates and the cycle continues again. To what end would this be? The issue of graduate unemployment and unemployability in Nigeria is complex and it requires a collective effort from the government, educational institutions, students, private sector, and society at large to address these challenges.
