Labor market prospects for university graduates in Nigeria

Analysis of labor statistics and employer surveys indicate that the unemployment rate for university graduates may be 22 percent and that their prospects for employment have worsened over time. In addition, the share of graduates obtaining employment in the public sector has fallen drastically. The messages from the managers of surveyed firms are clear: (a) university graduates are poorly trained and unproductive on the job; (b) graduate skills have steadily deteriorated over the past decade; and (c) shortcomings are particularly severe in oral and written communication, and in applied technical skills. Employers frequently compensate for insufficient academic preparation by organizing remedial courses for new employees. This increases the firms’ operating costs, and reduces their profitability and competitiveness.