For many Nigerian students, graduation is supposed to be the gateway to a brighter future, a reward for years of hard work and sacrifice. But beyond the euphoria of convocation lies an unsettling reality: a job market that is neither welcoming nor forgiving.
Sulaiman Hikmat, a recent Mass Communication graduate, says the future is a mix of excitement and anxiety. With dreams of working in advertising and eventually running her own agency, she is eager to take on the world. But reality is sobering. “My biggest fear is sitting at home doing nothing,” she admits. A conversation she once had with a tricycle driver haunts her. “The man studied Accounting, but because of the bad economy, he ended up driving a tricycle to survive. That scares me.”
Hikmat’s fears are not unfounded. Nigeria’s unemployment data paints a perplexing picture. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported Nigeria’s unemployment rate, which stood at 4.3% in the second quarter of 2024, appears optimistic at first glance. But the numbers mask a harsher reality. Many young graduates are either underemployed or forced into informal jobs that barely sustain them. The job market is fierce, and without strong connections or specialised skills, many struggle to break through.
While some pivot to entrepreneurship, others are forced into jobs far removed from their fields of study.
Projections indicate that Nigeria’s unemployment rate is expected to be 5.00% by the end of the current quarter and is projected to trend around 5.20% in 2025. Similarly, forecasts suggest the unemployment rate will be approximately 4.84% in 2025. The numbers paint a picture of a challenging job market, one that graduates must navigate with strategic preparation and adaptability.
The reality check
Kevin Fato, a Computer Science graduate, faced this reality immediately after his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Despite applying for numerous jobs, he received little response. “After months of searching and not getting anything promising, I decided to start a tech agency,” he shares. Today, that agency still stands, proving that adaptability is key in a volatile economy.
Like many graduates, he also struggled with financial adjustments. “Managing finances and the cost of living was tough because student bills are far less compared to when you graduate. Adapting to a new lifestyle was a challenge.”
Fato’s experience aligns with Ajibola’s point on the importance of skill development and technological advancements. In today’s digital-driven world, the tech industry is booming, yet many graduates are unprepared for it.
“Improving your skill set will never go out of style,” he advised. “Never stop working on yourself. Eat right, do exercises, read good books, and learn, learn, learn.”
Despite the challenges, he has managed to build a career spanning multiple fields. “Yeah, I am fully into the tech field, also into businesses, project management, and my 9-5 job. It’s not easy handling all these, but it’s fun, and I’m making it work.”
His advice for students? “Nothing beats cultivating good and healthy relationships. Your network will always determine your net worth. And don’t put too much pressure on yourself; good things take time, and greater things take even more.”
For others, like Ojo Ogunleke, a Mass Communication graduate, the struggle was more about direction than opportunity. “I had a degree, but I wasn’t sure about the specific role I wanted to pursue. That lack of direction made job hunting difficult because I didn’t even know what I was looking for,” he recalled.
His experience underscores a common problem among Nigerian graduates—many enter the workforce without clear career goals or the necessary skills to thrive in an evolving job market.
Beyond career uncertainty, financial struggles became another major hurdle. “As a fresh graduate with limited financial resources, I had to be extremely cautious with spending. It was frustrating because I wanted to take certain opportunities, but I just couldn’t afford to,” he explained.
“The reality of a competitive job market also made things harder. There were so many qualified people applying for the same jobs. Standing out was tough. I wanted to explore business, but even that required money and connections. It was a tough period,” he added.
According to Olaide Ajibola, a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic Offa, the biggest problem lies in the student mindset. “Many students focus solely on passing exams, forgetting that 75% of what you need to be a full-fledged graduate is learned outside the four walls of the classroom,” he explained.
Ajibola believes that self-improvement and adaptability are key to navigating Nigeria’s labor market. “Most graduates only read during exams, what I call ‘emergency studying.’ Life is not about knowing everything about something but knowing something about everything. That is what is called universal knowledge,” he advised.
Abdulrahman Abdullateef, another Fountain University graduate, faced significant challenges after graduation. He had assumed he was ready for life after school, until reality proved otherwise. However, his struggle began much sooner, just a week after leaving school.
“I thought I had everything figured out, but life had other plans. I moved out of home one week after graduation, thinking I could handle things. But then inflation hit hard, businesses crashed, and my own business took a major hit. I even got scammed while trying to invest,” he shared. The struggle was not just about money; it was about survival. “I was juggling too much, trying to keep my business alive, setting up a home, and maintaining my status. It was tough. Nobody prepares you for how hard it gets, you’re expected to have a job, money, and stability almost immediately, but the truth is, many of us are just trying to stay afloat,” he said.
For him, the key to navigating post-graduation life is planning, discipline, and staying true to one’s values. “Having a failed plan is still better than having no plan at all. Nothing is better than wealth you can defend and be proud of. There are legitimate ways to live well without cutting corners. Stay godly, hopeful, and disciplined. Your mindset is everything,” he advised.
While some graduates struggle to find their footing, others are fortunate to secure opportunities early.
For some, immediate employment was possible. Adedayo Kehinde, a graduate from Olabisi Onabanjo University, secured a job at Lagos Television (LTV) soon after NYSC. “I studied Mass Communication, and today, I’m a producer, technical director, and co-host of ‘Breakfast in Bed’ on LTV. It’s a great feeling to see my degree put to use,” he says.
However, even with his success, financial independence was an adjustment. “I miss those days of getting upkeep money from my parents. After school, I had to start fending for myself. It wasn’t easy, but I knew I had to make money legally.”
Despite the financial adjustment, Adedayo takes pride in the fact that he is working in his field of study. “I studied Mass Communication, and today, I’m a producer, technical director, and co-host of ‘Breakfast in Bed’ on LTV. It’s a great feeling to see my degree put to use, and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved in such a short time,” he shared.
Unlike Ojo and Akorede, Adedayo did not have to worry about career confusion or unemployment. His advice to fresh graduates is straightforward “Know what you’re doing and make sure it brings you legal money. Don’t wait for opportunities, don’t be lazy, go out and find something meaningful to do.”
The career journey
While some graduates have found success in their chosen fields, others have taken different routes. Ogunleke pursued a Master’s degree in International Business with Human Resources Management at Ulster University in the UK. “This advanced degree has enabled me to develop deeper expertise and stay up to date with the latest developments in my field,” he shared.
Akorede remained connected to his Mass Communication background but leveraged his skills in photography and videography as a side business. “My course of study strengthened my skills, and videography has become a side hustle for me,” he said. However, he also maintained his business, acknowledging that one job is never enough in Nigeria.
Hope, fear, and uncertain future
Edun Fateemah, another recent Mass Communication graduate, echoes similar sentiments. For most of her time in university, she had no clear career plan. “In 200l and 300 level days, I just wanted to graduate.” she said.
“My lecturer once asked me a question about my plans after school when I was in my final year, and I couldn’t answer the question, that was when I realized that I have been so focused on doing well in school and graduating with flying colors that i never really thought about my life after school or what I really wanted to do. It wasn’t until then that I started thinking about my future. I realized I was interested in editing and advertising, so I focused on that.”
Now, she has discovered a passion for editing and advertising, but her fears are similar to Hikmat’s. “The competition is fierce, and the industry is constantly evolving. What if I can’t keep up? What if I don’t get a job in my field?. I worry about not getting a job in my field, the tough competition, and adapting to the fast-changing media industry.” Beyond career worries, financial independence looms large. “In school, asking my parents for money was normal. Now, I feel like I have to be more responsible, but that responsibility is scary,” she admitted.
Blessing Ogenyi, a Mass Communication’s recently graduated student from the University of Ilorin, expressed concerns about the fulfillment of goals, saying “My biggest fear is not being fulfilled. While I said there are opportunities available, finding the RIGHT thing to do and not settling for less is important. I don’t want to be one of those who become unhappy with their lives at the end of the day.”
When asked if she feels confident about finding opportunities in her field, she responded positively.
“Yes, I do. The field of communication is broad with vast opportunities. It’s an essential part of our society, so there’ll always be a place for me. I just need to keep getting with the times and advancing myself career-wise.”
The journey from university to professional life is riddled with challenges. But as Ajibola puts it, “If we want to reduce unemployment, we must first change our mindset. We must embrace entrepreneurship, be open to learning beyond our fields, and take charge of our own destinies. The world is evolving, and those who adapt will thrive.”
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE