Are Nigerian Graduates Truly “Unemployable”? A Hard Truth We Must Confront
By Toyyib Omowale – It has been a while since I shared my thoughts here not for lack of issues to address, but due to other pressing engagements. However, a recent statement by Moniepoint’s CEO, Tosin Eniolorunda, has stirred a necessary conversation that we cannot afford to ignore.
Speaking about hiring trends, Eniolorunda revealed that since 2020, Moniepoint a leading fintech company in Nigeria and across West Africa made a deliberate effort to recruit Nigerian graduates as part of its contribution to reducing unemployment. That move, by all standards, is commendable.
But then came the uncomfortable part.
According to him, the company has consistently found that many Nigerian graduates fall short of global employability standards. He attributed this partly to a growing “get-rich-quick” mindset among young people manifesting in internet fraud among some young men and the rise of hook-up culture among some young women.
As expected, the backlash was swift.
Critics argued that companies demanding global-standard talent must also be willing to offer globally competitive salaries. Others dismissed the comments as an unfair generalisation.
But beyond the noise, there is a deeper issue we must confront honestly.
Are we truly producing graduates who are ready for today’s world?
In all fairness, Nigeria’s tertiary education system is under increasing scrutiny and not without reason. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has repeatedly highlighted rising unemployment and underemployment rates among young Nigerians, many of whom are degree holders. This is not just about job scarcity; it is about job readiness.
Our universities, in many cases, still operate on outdated curricula. Knowledge that was relevant decades ago is often recycled without adaptation to present-day realities.
In 2026, industries are driven by digital skills, innovation, and problem-solving yet many graduates are still trained to memorise theories rather than apply them.
The result?
A growing number of graduates who can pass exams but struggle to perform in real-world environments.
The problem is compounded by a culture of rote learning. Students “cram” to succeed academically, but miss out on the practical exposure that builds competence. Internships, hands-on training, and critical thinking exercises are often treated as optional, rather than essential.
Then comes the role of technology.
Artificial Intelligence tools designed to enhance learning are now being misused. Instead of deep research and understanding, some students rely heavily on AI-generated answers. The consequence is predictable: good grades on paper, but glaring knowledge gaps in practice.
And what about the lecturers?
How many are actively updating course content to reflect global standards? How many institutions regularly review their curricula to align with industry needs? These are uncomfortable questions, but necessary ones.
Because the truth is this education cannot remain “business as usual.”
Our tertiary institutions must evolve into centres of innovation, skill-building, and practical knowledge. Students must be equipped not just to graduate, but to compete locally and globally.
And students, too, must take responsibility. The system may be flawed, but personal development is a choice. Beyond certificates, there must be a deliberate effort to acquire relevant skills, think critically, and build competence.
This is not about blaming one side. It is about fixing a broken chain.
Policymakers must take deliberate steps to reform the curriculum, ensuring that employability becomes a central focus of education rather than an afterthought.
Institutions, on their part, need to move beyond theoretical instruction by embracing practical, industry-driven learning that prepares students for real-world demands.
Lecturers must also rise to the occasion by continuously updating their knowledge and teaching beyond the confines of textbooks, equipping students with relevant and applicable skills.
Above all, students themselves have a responsibility to look beyond grades, making conscious efforts to build real, marketable skills that will set them apart in an increasingly competitive world.
Because if we fail to act now, we risk producing more graduates who are qualified on paper but unprepared for reality. And that is a cost Nigeria can no longer afford.
™Toyyib Omowale
News and Current Affairs Analyst
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