NUC (The National Universities Commission) and Canada’s Commonwealth of Learning (COL) have teamed up to improve graduate employability in Nigeria.
NUC’s Chris Maiyaki emphasised the need for a framework to bridge the skills gap and better prepare graduates.
The National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) from Canada have partnered to address the pressing issues of graduate employability and entrepreneurial skills in Nigeria.
Firstly, Chris Maiyaki, the NUC’s Acting Executive Secretary, emphasised the importance of finding solutions during a three-day Stakeholders Capacity Workshop in Abuja.
Specifically, the workshop aimed to develop a national framework and strategies to enhance graduate employability within Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Moreover, Maiyaki acknowledged the significant skills gap in the country and expressed optimism that a collaborative approach would create a more effective employability ecosystem.
In fact, he noted that a needs assessment survey conducted in 2005 revealed challenges such as poor graduate quality and deficiencies in skills development.
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In response to these findings, the NUC established a Skills Development and Advisory Committee in 2018, involving experts from both public and private sectors.
As a result, they introduced the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), allowing universities to tailor 30 per cent of their curriculum to meet local needs.
Furthermore, Jane-Frances Agbu, Higher Education Adviser at COL, highlighted the changing job market, stating that companies now seek employees who can adapt to evolving challenges.
Consequently, she remarked, “Today’s reality requires much more than academic qualifications,” underscoring the global focus on improving graduate employability in higher education.
