Having employable graduates is vital for a healthy economy. They are the driving force behind innovation, productivity, and growth. The article reflects that graduates’ employability is vital to their future work and to the development of whole countries.
Other examples of universities that get their graduates prepared for jobs and ensure they have all the necessary conditions to succeed in their fields are Covenant University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and the University of Ibadan. They prioritize good grades, close collaboration with companies, and teaching practical skills.
These Stutern stats actually demonstrate how vital it is for graduates to obtain jobs post-college. They illustrate what they expect their salaries to be and how these expectations pan out over time.
Many start with low salaries, but that is likely to change as new graduates quickly gain valuable experience and start to make other career advances. To continue to do well in the job market, these professionals must continue to learn new skills and professionally grow and remain open to learning and retooling their entire careers.
Overall, we can consider what makes graduates employable is not just what they know from school but how well they can tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and benefit society.
When policymakers, schools, and businesses provide graduates with the right knowledge, skills, and behaviours for the jobs that are available, they can establish an environment conducive to employability. It aids the economy and ensures that everybody benefits in the long term.
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Universities With Most Employable Graduates in Nigeria
1. Covenant University Ota
Covenant University Ota is the best preparatory school for the job market and has an exceptional employability score of 83.70%. The institution offers academic excellence, industry relevance, an entrepreneurial spirit, all-around education, and alumni impact.
In addition, the school is well equipped with the best facilities and professors to create a favourable learning atmosphere for attending students.
Moreover, the institution influences entrepreneurial and creative thinking through business incubation programs and startup competitions.
Covenant’s ex-students are known to influence other sectors; thus proving the value of education instilled by the university.
2. University of Nigeria, Nsukka
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka has a high employability score of 68.18%, which means that the university is committed to preparing its students for the future job.
It offers opportunities in a variety of fields, from engineering to humanities, which gives students valuable knowledge and skills.
UNN also prioritizes research and innovation through which students and faculty develop cutting-edge abilities.
The close partnership with industry giants provides students with valuable experience in the areas they are majoring in and a vision of how their future careers may look like.
UNN also prioritizes global competence through exchange and study-abroad initiatives and diversity and inclusion through community outreach and social responsibility. UNN is also known for its alumni who are active and influential all over the world.
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3. University of Ibadan
The University of Ibadan is a common institution in Nigeria. With an employability rating of 61.76%, prospective learners are sure of quality education and a promising career.
This is because the institution is famed for prioritizing academic excellence, diverse programs that meet market demand, and innovative teaching methods.
More importantly, UI prioritizes a global perspective, making it easier to secure international jobs and further their education.
The institution is the hub of many Nigerian professors and includes research facilities that promote critical thinking.
It offers courses in arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities, which properly align with the job market. Also, UI collaborates with prominent employers, government agencies, and research institutions to ensure that students can secure internships and mentorship.
Its alumni include established professionals and scientists who motivate current students and uphold the university’s dignity of issuing impactful graduates.
4. Federal University of Technology, Mina
FUTMINNA is one of the top institutions in engineering, well-known for its excellence in research and invention in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Additionally, the university has always been committed to nurturing students who think out of the box, take risks, and identify entrepreneurial opportunities through entrepreneurship training, incubation programs, and startup competitions.
FUTMINNA graduates have been at the forefront of the engineering sector, solving complex challenges, serving as development facilitators in the country, and living up to the college’s reputation for high-quality education in the world.
5. University of Ilorin
The University of Ilorin is world-famous for its excellent academic performance and producing graduates profoundly prepared for the job market.
With a 60.22% employability rate, the campus offers a plethora of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in arts, sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, and health sciences.
Professionals operate properly equipped with this knowledge of the tutor as well as skills to achieve the desired grades.
The campus also contains well-designed facilities like labs, libraries, lecture halls, and research centres, making it possible to learn and grow.
This institution also collaborates with reputable industries, government establishments, and research facilities to ensure that scholars are preferred and allowed into the labour market.
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6. Bowen University
The institution offers numerous undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in the arts, science, social science, humanities, engineering, and health science, among others.
In addition, the school has well-experienced and expert faculties in various disciplines trained to adequately equip students with the required knowledge, skills, and expertise they need to excel.
The university is also well equipped with examinable facilities such as laboratories, lecture theatres, libraries, and research centres that enable hands-on learning and intellectual discovery.
Additionally, the university partners with industries, government agencies, and research firms to boost students’ employment rates and enable a smooth transition into the job market.
7. Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University is, therefore, the ideal choice for Nigerian students who want to take a transformative journey of personal growth and development to pursue a high-level education in their country.
OAU is one of the most diverse Nigerian universities, offering several undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in arts, sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities.
The graduate programs make every student competitive in the job market and an independent researcher.
The research and innovation facilities at the university are world-class level, and most of its research centres of excellence are well-known. In the teaching sector, OAU values student-centred approaches, such as innovative or traditional teaching outside a classroom set-up.
The university is not an exception since most of its colleges and departments have libraries, laboratories, classrooms with smart boards, and more.
Finally, the university has a strong link with governments, industries, research institutes, and other stakeholders. The connection makes the university’s students marketable and reduces the time spent to employ young students.
The students are also encouraged to be entrepreneurs, and some are trained, and incubated, and some start up their idea on campus while still students.
8. University of Benin
The University of Benin is well-known for its high academic performance, and its employability rating is 58.51% .
The high quality of a range of programs from which prospective graduates may acquire needed skills and knowledge has an impact on the university’s commitment to cutting-edge research activities that solve societal problems by leading innovation in various fields.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of an industry that provides students with practical experience, internships, and the university’s research and development.
They also get access to real-life equipment in modern laboratories, libraries, and research centres where they gain practical exposure to the latest technology. UNIBEN also has an expansive and active alumni network that includes individuals who are highly successful in their fields of work.
9. Lagos State University
Overall, Lagos State University is one of the leading higher education institutions in Nigeria with an employability metric of 58.49%.
The university is aimed at academic excellence and offers numerous undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Its faculty consists of accomplished professionals and ensures high-quality education.
Furthermore, LASU applies innovative teaching methods, interactive classrooms, and a hands-on approach to develop students’ critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving capabilities.
The university has solid links with industry leaders, employers, and professional organizations, offering students internships, job opportunities and networking events.
LASU promotes the development of an entrepreneurial mindset among students and encourages them to find innovative solutions to existing problems.
This is achieved through entrepreneurship training, incubation programs, and startup support. Moreover, the university is committed to community outreach, and developing various volunteer programs and initiatives.
10. University of Lagos
The University of Lagos is a reputable academic institution highly recognized in Nigeria with an employability rate of 58.13%.
Therefore, students attending the university can acquire diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs, instruction from qualified faculty members, and state-of-the-art facilities to meet their educational needs.
Additionally, the university has strong networks with prominent industry players, employers, and professional bodies that give students access to internships, job placements, and networking forums.
UNILAG also emphasizes an entrepreneurial culture whereby all students are nurtured to be innovative and solve the prevailing socioeconomic challenges through entrepreneurship training, incubation, and supportive startups.
Moreover, the university focuses on promoting a global perspective through international exchange programs, study abroad, and cross-cultural activities in the world.
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Statistics From The Edition of The Nigerian Graduate Report
For example, the 2017 Nigerian Graduate Report recognizes Covenant University and the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, FUNAAB, as the top-quality education institutions producing the types of graduates that companies want to hire.
Covenant University is the best university in terms of education, good and useful courses, and extensive teaching. FUNAAB is the second most desirable university for any employer.
FUNAAB is known for training their graduates extensively on farming, and agriculture.
The two universities noted have good teaching, skilled lecturers, and good company partnerships. This recognition is vital in Nigeria’s education world but portrays the critical need to improve.
Moreover, the report gives an overview of the Nigerian fraternity’s graduate job situation. According to the statistics, about 60% of graduates earn less than ₦50,000 per month on their first job after high school.
This implies that the majority of fresh graduates start poorly paid, making it difficult for them to pay bills and live on their own quickly.
The typical salary of an average Nigerian college graduate for their first job in their respective fields lies between ₦20,000 and ₦100,000. In their second job, college graduates with experience and knowledge of their fields from their first jobs make between ₦100,000 and ₦250,000.
These figures indicate the need to plan one’s career cautiously, acquire skills and get jobs aggressively and intentionally.
Alternatively, our findings indicate that more should be done policy-wise to help our graduates secure jobs, encourage them to create businesses, and properly pay salaries.
The government, businesses, and schools can work together to create more permanent jobs, grow the economy, and pay workers appropriately.
