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The research explores why rural Nigerian graduates with university degrees struggle to find jobs despite qualifications aimed at enhancing social mobility.

March 18, 2026Industry and Higher EducationOpen Access

Graduate job imaginaries and labour precarity: The promise and limits of higher education and social mobility for rural Nigerians

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YOYusuf Damilola OlaniyanUniversity of Bath

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Implication

Qualitative research examines employment challenges for rural graduates, suggesting policies for greater social mobility.

Key Points

The research explores why rural Nigerian graduates with university degrees struggle to find jobs despite qualifications aimed at enhancing social mobility.
Conducted 30 interviews with rural Nigerian graduates
Analyzed data using Mamdani’s decentralised despotism and Bourdieu’s concepts
Examined influences of place, social connections, and job success imaginaries
A degree often does not lead to employment opportunities in rural areas
Job access is influenced by urban proximity, professional certifications, and informal networks
Graduate precarity reflects inequalities benefiting urban candidates over rural graduates

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Yusuf Damilola Olaniyan (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69ba42ee4e9516ffd37a3b31 https://doi.org/10.1177/09504222261436499

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Graduate job imaginaries and labour precarity: The promise and limits of higher education and social mobility for rural Nigerians

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Graduate job imaginaries and labour precarity: The promise and limits of higher education and social mobility for rural Nigerians

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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