Nigerian Universities Told: Focus on Soft Skills for Jobs

Leading education and leadership authorities have urged universities in Nigeria to focus more on imparting soft and marketable skills as a means to tackle the increasing youth unemployment in the country.

This appeal was expressed during the concluding event of the Career Service Programme, a collaboration between the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and ICLED Business School, Lekki.

At the gathering, Prof. Afolabi Lesi, UNILAG’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), emphasized the importance of equipping students with practical skills in addition to their academic education.

“The Office of Career Development Services was created to ensure students are prepared for the workforce.

This collaboration with ICLED offers training in interview techniques, teamwork, communication, and leadership—skills that are often not included in formal academic programs but are critical for the job market,” he stated.

Prof. Olajumoke Familoni, president and provost of ICLED Business School, pointed out that the disparity between what is taught in schools and what industries require contributes to the unemployment issue.

She remarked that fostering entrepreneurship and collaborating with industries is essential for translating innovation into employment opportunities.

Dr. Wayne Puckett, a leadership expert based in the U.S., commended the participating students, highlighting their creative ideas as evidence of the program’s effectiveness.

“The students excelled at applying their knowledge to generate practical solutions for unemployment. It’s important that these conversations carry on beyond the confines of the classroom,” he remarked.

Dr. Ayodele Shittu, Team Lead at UNILAG’s Office of Career Development Services, mentioned that the initiative has successfully equipped students for global citizenship and readiness for the workplace. “These emerging leaders will have an impact on policies and decision-making around the globe,” he noted.

The event included debates, mock interviews, CV assessments, mentoring sessions, and group presentations centered on the topic “Addressing the Graduate Unemployment Crisis in Nigeria: The Path Forward.”

More than 130 students in their penultimate and final years participated, gaining insights into career planning, leadership development, and entrepreneurship.