Former Head of Service, Prof. Oladapo Afolabi, and Bowen University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jonathan Babalola, have advised Nigeria to focus on research-based policies and update school curricula to solve the problem of unemployable graduates.
They spoke at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, during the 60th anniversary of its postgraduate school. Prof. Babalola stated that many Nigerian graduates possess certificates but lack practical skills. He also warned against fake research, poor supervision, and the sale of degrees in some institutions.
Prof. Afolabi said Nigerian schools used to produce graduates who were ready for the job market. Now, many youths are only after certificates, not competence, making it hard for them to be self-employed. OAU’s Postgraduate Provost, Prof. Victor Olaleye, revealed the school has trained nearly 30,000 graduates in the last 60 years. He said the university currently runs programmes in 104 departments, with over 7,000 students, including 60 from other countries.
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