By Mohammed Bello Doka
Nigeria is heading towards a catastrophic unemployment crisis. Every year, universities produce graduates with degrees that are rapidly becoming obsolete, leaving millions at risk of joblessness. While the world is advancing in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital economies, Nigerian students are still being taught using outdated curricula designed decades ago. Without urgent reforms, the country will face an unprecedented wave of unemployment, brain drain, and economic instability.
A System Stuck in the Past
The job market is evolving at an alarming pace, but Nigeria’s education system remains stagnant. Courses in philosophy, history, and traditional management studies continue to dominate university programs, while fields such as AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, and robotics are largely ignored.
Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), recently warned, “Africa needs to transition from job-seeking education to job-creating education. If we continue producing graduates for industries that no longer exist, we are simply setting up our youth for failure.”
The Global Shift and Nigeria’s Delay
While Nigeria lags, other countries are adapting:
- India has restructured its education system to focus on IT and digital skills, producing a workforce that dominates the global tech industry.
- Rwanda has integrated AI and coding into its school curricula, positioning itself as a rising digital hub in Africa.
- China prioritizes STEM education, ensuring that its graduates are equipped for the future job market.
In contrast, a 2023 report by Jobberman revealed that 64% of Nigerian employers struggle to find graduates with relevant digital skills.
A Jobless Future? The Consequences of Inaction
If Nigeria fails to modernize its education system, the consequences will be devastating:
- Mass Unemployment: As companies automate jobs, graduates without modern skills will struggle to find employment.
- Brain Drain: Talented Nigerians will continue fleeing to countries with better education and job opportunities.
- Social Unrest: Rising joblessness could lead to increased crime, protests, and political instability.
- Foreign Dependence: Nigerian companies may have to rely on skilled foreigners while local graduates remain unemployed.
Already, multinational companies operating in Nigeria are outsourcing tech-related jobs to skilled professionals from India and the West due to a lack of local expertise.
Experts Call for Urgent Reforms
Education and industry leaders are sounding the alarm. Prof. Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, stated, “A country that fails to embrace digital transformation is setting itself back decades. Nigerian universities must adapt or become irrelevant.”
The reforms needed include:
- Curriculum Overhaul: Universities must integrate AI, coding, robotics, and digital marketing into traditional courses.
- Practical Learning: Schools should emphasize hands-on training, internships, and real-world problem-solving over rote memorization.
- Industry Collaboration: The private sector should help design university courses to align with market demands.
- Government Investment: Massive funding is needed to upgrade facilities, train teachers, and provide students with modern learning tools.
Is There Hope?
While government action has been slow, private institutions and international organizations are stepping in. Nile University of Nigeria and the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) have started integrating AI and data science into their programs. Companies like Google Africa and Andela are offering training to thousands of Nigerian youths in digital skills.
But these efforts alone are not enough. Without nationwide education reforms, millions of Nigerians will continue to graduate into a job market that has no place for them.
As former US President Barack Obama once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Nigeria must create an education system that produces skilled, employable graduates—not just degree holders. The future of millions depends on it.