Towards Enhancing University Graduate Employability in Nigeria

There is a concern worldwide that the current undergraduate curriculum is not producing graduates with the kind of professional and lifelong learning skills that they require to be successful in their jobs. This shortcoming has put increasing pressure on universities to enhance the employability of graduates by ensuring that university learning experiences translate into a fulfilling transition to the labor market. Considering the various challenges and the evidence of the lack of employable graduates in Nigeria, the focus of this paper is on how Nigerian universities can produce employable graduates for 21st century jobs. Using a desk review method, some definitions and earlier models of employability are discussed as a basis for a proposed model of enhancing university graduate employability. Its components can be embedded in the university curriculum. For successful implementation of the model, it is suggested that an enabling environment must be provided by the government, businesses and universities.