A new report has revealed that nearly 60 per cent of employers in Nigeria believe graduates are not adequately prepared for the workplace, highlighting a growing disconnect between academic training and industry demands.
The findings were presented at an industry roundtable held in Ikeja, Lagos, where stakeholders discussed the persistent skills gap affecting employability among Nigerian graduates.
According to the report by Proten International, more than half of graduates are currently employed in roles outside their field of study, reflecting a mismatch between university education and labour market needs.
The report stated, “There is a clear gap between what students are taught and the skills required in today’s workplace. Many graduates lack essential competencies such as communication, teamwork, technical ability, and digital literacy.”
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Proten International, Deborah Yemi-Oladayo, described the issue as complex and requiring a collective response from both the education sector and employers.
“Improving outcomes goes beyond reviewing the curriculum. Those who teach the students must also be equipped with updated knowledge and skills,” she said.
She further questioned the level of investment in lecturer development, noting that educators cannot deliver beyond their own capacity.
“If we expect better results from students, we must first invest in those training them. Lecturers can only give what they have,” Yemi-Oladayo added.
She also urged students to take personal responsibility for their development rather than relying solely on institutional reforms.
“Students must be proactive. There are several free online platforms where they can build relevant skills. Waiting for change is not enough,” she said.
Also contributing, the founder of Treford Africa, Harry Enabolo, emphasised the importance of hands-on experience in preparing graduates for employment.
“Practical experience is one of the fastest ways to learn. What you do on the job often shapes your competence more than theory,” he said.
Enabolo encouraged undergraduates to seek internships and engage with startups to gain real-world exposure.
“Applying knowledge in practical settings helps deepen understanding and prepares students for the realities of the workplace,” he added.
Stakeholders at the roundtable called for a more flexible education system that allows students to combine academic learning with practical experience, noting that such an approach would ease the transition from school to employment.
