Nigeria’s universities churn out hundreds of thousands of graduates each year, yet employers from banking to manufacturing complain that too few arrive ready for the workplace.
The disconnect between classroom and career has become a drag on productivity, with companies citing weak practical skills and thin professional exposure among new hires.
Education experts warn the problem goes beyond headline unemployment figures. Unequal access to internships, mentorship and industry networks means many students are shut out of career preparation long before graduation.
For young Nigerians without means, the gap between academic achievement and employability starts in school and widens from there.
This growing concern has led to increased attention on organisations attempting to create more practical support systems around youth development. Among them is Crecer Africa, whose programmes focus on combining educational support with structured career exposure.
