The persistent high rate of graduate unemployment in Nigeria has negatively impacted national economic growth, with about 80% of university graduates struggling to secure employment annually. Between 2006 and 2017, the unemployment rate among Nigerian graduates increased from 2.6% to 24.6%, reflecting a critical challenge within the education system. While graduate unemployment is a global phenomenon, stakeholders in developed countries have emphasized the need for vocational and technical skill acquisition to enhance employability. In response, Nigeria introduced vocational and technical education through the 6-3-3-4 system in 1982 and later the 9-3-4 system in 2007, aimed at equipping youths with practical skills, enterprise competencies, and technological literacy. This policy seeks to foster self-reliant graduates capable of generating employment, contributing positively to society, and addressing the unemployment crisis.
Chinedu Ifeanyi Dr. Obiora (Fri,) studied this question.