Dangerous mismatch’ between educational syllabus and the skill-demands of the present knowledge-driven economy has been identified as the reason behind perennial unemployment among Nigerian graduates.

This was the position of experts who spoke with The Hope during the weekend.

Dr Edamisan Ikuemonisan, from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, stated that while the world races towards technological advancement, Nigeria’s graduates remain trapped in an archaic system that values certificates over competencies, leaving them unemployable despite their qualifications.

He said, “The fundamental problem lies in our outdated educational framework. Universities continue churning out graduates with theoretical knowledge but no practical skills to solve real-world problems. This systemic failure stems from obsolete curricula, dilapidated learning infrastructure, and a widening gap between academia and industry needs. When graduates lack digital literacy, critical thinking, and technical skills, their certificates become mere paper qualifications in an increasingly competitive global market.”

Ikuemonisan who blamed the situation on misplacement of priorities by leaders added that while physical infrastructure projects receive attention, human capital development, which is the true engine of national progress, remains neglected.

“Roads and bridges cannot compensate for unskilled graduates. Sustainable development requires empowering youth with problem-solving abilities, technological proficiency, and entrepreneurial mindset – the exact qualities missing in most Nigerian graduates today,” he added.

The agro economists recommended urgent educational reforms focused on skills acquisition, stressing that the need to modernise curricula to include emerging fields like AI and renewable energy, foster industry-academia collaboration through apprenticeship programs, and invest in digital learning tools.

His words: “Until we transform our education system to produce job creators rather than certificate holders, graduate unemployment will persist regardless of economic policies. Nigeria’s future depends on bridging this skills gap now before we’re left further behind in the global economy.”

Similarly, Peter Ajayi, a banker, identified that Nigeria’s educational system is not built for skills but degrees, stressing that corruption makes the situation more complex.

While noting that there is too much government involvement in the private sector, Ajayi recommended an economy that is built for entrepreneurship, as obtained in some advanced countries.

Likewise, Jemimah Solomon, an ICT expert, blamed Nigeria’s unending youth unemployment on unfavourable government policies and poor educational syllabus.

“Some of the things students are taught in school are not obtainable in the real world. We should concentrate more on what the society needs at the moment because everything is changing. Some methods we knew even last year are no longer acceptable. Our educational system should keep students up to date,” she said.