Education
85% of Nigerian graduates have no digital skills – Report
More than 85 per cent of Nigeria’s graduates have no digital skills, a survey by GetBundi, an online education technology outfit, has shown.
The outcome of the survey, according to Mr Osita Oparaugo, the Chief Executive Officer of the outfit, shows that the more than 100 million young people are not prepared to take up good job opportunities that required such modern skills.
“There is an overwhelming digital skills gap that has been linked to the high unemployment rate in Nigeria.
“The lack of digital skills has been named as a major reason why many graduates produced yearly from the country’s tertiary institutions are unable to secure employment in the labour market,” he pointed out in a statement in Lagos.
To buttress the point, Oparaugo said that a 2023 survey conducted by GetBundi Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and Digital Skill Education Technology Company involving 100 NYSC members showed that only 19 of them had any form of digital skill.
“Even that skill was mostly Microsoft Excel and basic knowledge.
“All of the seven that had basic knowledge of programming, machine learning and data science studied outside Nigeria – five in the UK, one in the United States and one in Malaysia.
“Most of them are active on social media as 89 have active Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts, and 11 have LinkedIn accounts.
“However, they have little or no knowledge of any digital skills. About 15 carry one form of science-based field certificate or the other but have no practical knowledge when tested in their areas of study.
“This situation, at a time when digital skills rule the world, is worrisome, though the young people are not entirely to blame.
“The education system takes a huge chunk of the blame. The education system has often been criticised, and rightly, for not being updated with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“The curriculum used in many Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions is outdated and does not adequately cover the practical aspect of relevant digital skills.
“Practical digital skills that would better prepare the youths for jobs and self-employment are all lacking in the current education system.”
He argued that government had recognised the need to address this issue and took steps to promote digital literacy and skill development among youths.
“Some of the efforts include initiatives such as coding boot camps, online training platforms, partnerships with technology companies, and entrepreneurship programs that focus on digital innovation, he said.
“These initiatives aim to provide Nigerian youths with opportunities to learn and apply digital skills, thereby increasing their employability and entrepreneurial prospects,” he added.
He noted, however, that addressing the issue required the collaborations.
“It requires a collaborative effort among government, educational institutions, private sector organisations and individuals to provide accessible and relevant digital skills training to Nigerian youths.
“Addressing the digital skills gap among youths graduates requires a multi-pronged approach.
“In this regard, Getbundi, has articulated some strategies that can be implemented and one of them is to update educational curriculum
in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“Most schools use outdated and irrelevant curriculum to teach students, which is devoid of digital skills.
“To equip these youths for the digital economy, it is pertinent that the curriculum is updated with relevant skills such as coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, among others.
“We must also promote digital literacy programmes that target individuals who are already in the workforce or have limited educational opportunities.
“These programmes can offer training workshops, online courses and resources to enhance digital skills.
“Public-private partnerships can be formed to increase the reach and effectiveness of such initiatives.
“We must also strengthen digital infrastructure to improve access to reliable internet connectivity across the country.
“This can be done by expanding broadband infrastructure and reducing the cost of internet services.
“Access to affordable and reliable internet is crucial for individuals to acquire and enhance digital skills, so we must raise awareness and change mindsets and try to highlight the importance of digital skills in the current job market and overall societal development.
“This can help change mindsets and encourage individuals, parents, and employers to prioritise digital skills acquisition and support relevant initiatives.
“Individuals should be encouraged to pursue online courses, attend workshops and participate in digital activities to stay updated with evolving technologies and acquire new skills.
“The arrival of the fourth industrial revolution has, no doubt, ushered in a new era of globalisation, with significant changes and disruptions across various industries, necessitating the prioritisation of digital skills.”
To further address the digital skills gap in Nigeria and Africa, especially among Nigerian graduates, Oparaugo said that GetBundi had developed STEM-related courses for secondary school students, based on the West African School Certificate curriculum.
“We also have digital skills courses to equip everyone, young or old, with relevant 21st Century job-ready skills.
“Our platform also has micro-sliced courses for impactful learning with 107 skillful instructors.
“Individuals can get verified and go remote after learning some digital skills such as coding, artificial intelligence, graphics, video editing, cybersecurity, and much more in less than six months.
“Getbundi believes that equipping Nigerian youths with relevant digital skills can help build a skilled workforce better equipped to meet the demands of the modern economy,” he said.
The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) has achieved a significant milestone in its academic journey, as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has accredited 12 of its undergraduate programmes.
According to the results of the accreditation exercise conducted between November and December 2023, 11 programmes received full accreditation, while one programme was granted interim accreditation.
The accredited programmes span across the Faculties of Arts, Social and Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Science, demonstrating the university’s commitment to academic excellence across various disciplines. The full accreditation status is valid for five years, while the programme with interim accreditation will be revisited in two years.q
The accreditation exercise was conducted by the NUC, and the results were signed by Ag. Director of Accreditation, Engr. Abraham Chundusu, on behalf of the Executive Secretary.
The university community and the public have been informed of this achievement, which is expected to boost the university’s reputation and attract more students to its accredited programmes.
The programmes that secured full accreditation include: Business Administration, History and International Studies, Demogragraphy and Social Statistics, Economics, Political Science and Sociology. The rest are Applied Geophysics, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Statistics. On the other hand, the programme with interim accreditation would be fully accredited in the next two years.
While speaking on the development, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Muhammad Zaiyan Umar, “expressed delight over the results. He was optimistic that the other programme with interim accreditation would achieve full accreditation in the next two years.”
The Vice Chancellor “expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the exercise. He thanked the Management of FUBK, Deans, Directors and Heads of Department. He also appreciated staff and students of the University for their support and cooperation which contributed to the success of the exercise.”
The NUC report revealed that “Section 10 (1) of the education (national minimum standard and establishment of Institutions) Act CAP 3LE3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, empowers the NUC to lay down Minimum Academic Standards for all academic programmes taught in Nigerian Universities and also to accredite such programmes.”
“The implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) commenced in 2023/2024 academic session. The University is expected to ensure compliance in the utilisation of the CCMAS for all programmes.”
The Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, has a new substantive Vice Chancellor in the person of Prof. Shaykh-Lukman Alade Jimoh.
The appointment was made by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, following the outcome of the screening exercise conducted by the university’s governing council, in which Prof. Shaykh-Lukman emerged as the top candidate.
Prof. Shaykh-Lukman, 60, has been serving as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the university and was previously the Deputy Vice Chancellor between 2020 and 2022.
He brings to the position decades of experience as an administrator and university scholar, with a stellar academic record that includes several honours and awards.
Some of his notable academic achievements include being the Best Graduating Student of the Department of Religions at the University of Ilorin in 1988, as well as receiving the University Undergraduate Scholarship Award and University Scholar awards in 1987/1988.
The appointment has been widely welcomed by the university community, with many expressing confidence in Prof. Shaykh-Lukman’s ability to lead the institution to greater heights.
He is a Fellow and member of many professional bodies such as Chartered Institute of Public Advocacy and Management and Council of Experts for International Centre on Contemporary Research in Islamic Sciences (United Kingdom).
Shaykh-Lukman hails from Igbaja in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The Governor also approved for the Kwara State College of Education Ilorin to transmute into the University of Education for ease of take off and other logistic advantages.
“The government will continue ongoing efforts to transform the two other colleges of education and make them more viable in line with current realities in the sector,” according to a statement from the Government House.
Recall that the decision on the location of the university comes a few days after the governor assented to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (Establishment) and Kwara State University of Education (Establishment) Bills, effectively birthing a teaching hospital and the university of education.
The signing took place in Government House in Ilorin in the presence of House of Assembly Speaker Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu; Majority Leader Hon. Oba AbdulKadir Magaji; and the Clerk of the House AbdulKareem Ahmed; and a member of the Committee on the Establishment of Kwara State University of Education/Special Adviser (Special Duties) Abdulrazaq Jiddah.
By Matthew Denis
The Management of National Youths Service Corp (NYSC) has described the trending New uniform on social media as fake news and baseless.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa which was made available to Newsmen on Friday.
The statement Reads ” the attention of NYSC Management has been drawn to a fake tiktok video trending online indicating that Corps Members’ uniform has been changed to a new one.
“For clarity sake, NYSC Management wish to State categorically that all the items of Corps Members’ uniforms that they collect on arrival during registration at the Orientation Camps remain the same.
It further urged Members of the public, especially Prospective Corps Members are hereby advised to disregard the misleading and highly embarrassing tiktok video in its entirety, as efforts are on-going on the distribution of uniforms and other essential variables to all the 37 NYSC Orientation Camps across the country in preparation for the forthcoming 2024 Batch ‘B’ Stream One Orientation Course.
Recall that the Federal Government approved for the improvement in the quality of the material used in sowing Corps Members’ uniform. This is already done and Corps Members are already enjoying the improved quality.
“Social Media Influencers are strongly warned to desist forthwith, from using NYSC Corporate brand in any online medium that may attract negative publicity to the Scheme, while defaulters would be prosecuted according to legal provisions.”
Osun APC condemns Gov Adeleke’s desperation to retain power beyond 2026
Gov. Fubara directs LG Heads of administration to oversee councils
