In 2023, a Lagos manufacturing company could not find qualified chemical ecologists and resorted to importing skills from India, highlighting a significant skills gap in Nigeria. Despite numerous job vacancies, many jobseekers lack required skills and experience. A reported 23 million Nigerians are unemployed or underemployed, with a major mismatch between education and market needs, particularly in rapidly growing sectors. Calls for educational reforms and better industry partnerships aim to address these issues.
In 2023, a manufacturing company located in Lagos struggled to find two chemical ecologists, despite an extensive search across universities and polytechnics. After six months of failed attempts, the firm resorted to importing professionals from India. This situation highlights a significant skills gap among Nigerians, which is a major factor in their inability to secure employment today.
The 2025 Lagos Economic Development Update reveals a paradox in the labour market: there is an average of 2,837 job vacancies, yet 3,318 jobseekers are in the market. Among these, 816 individuals, representing 26 percent, lack the necessary education and experience, reducing the effective pool of employable candidates to 2,502. The report indicates that while many are seeking jobs, employers continue to have difficulty finding qualified applicants specifically suited for crucial roles.
Ope George, Lagos State’s commissioner for economic planning and budget, articulated this dilemma, stating, “While there are job openings, businesses cannot find candidates with the right skills.” In the second quarter of 2024, Nigeria’s unemployment rate was reported at 4.3 percent, a significant decrease from 33.3 percent in 2021. However, many experts believe that this figure masks the reality of underemployment and informal work, with the World Bank estimating that 23 million Nigerians were either unemployed or underemployed in 2023.
A report from the Jobberman Foundation illustrates the troubling mismatch between educational qualifications and job market requirements, as six out of ten graduates reportedly lack the skills needed for available positions. Industries such as technology, renewable energy, and manufacturing are particularly affected, forcing companies to either recruit talent from abroad or invest heavily in the training of their current workforce.
Michael Olaniyi, a 28-year-old Business Administration graduate, expressed his frustrations regarding the job market. “I have applied for over 200 jobs in the past two years, but I barely get responses,” he reported, highlighting a widespread issue faced by recent graduates who find their educational background insufficient for industry demands.
The gap continues to widen due to Nigeria’s stagnant university curriculum, which has not evolved to prioritize practical or digital skills training. Though some private institutions have made enhancements, public universities often fall short due to bureaucratic challenges. Many young individuals prioritize traditional degrees over vocational or technical training, despite the high demand for skilled workers in sectors like construction and renewable energy.
Aisha Bello, an education consultant based in Abuja, noted the lack of private sector engagement in shaping curricula to meet market needs, stating, “Companies should partner with universities to offer internships and hands-on training, but this rarely happens.” Meanwhile, the few available digital skills training programs are often prohibitively expensive, further constraining opportunities for job seekers.
Ofem Igot, an associate professor at Lagos State University, warned of the dire consequences of a widening skills gap. “If the skills gaps continue to widen, the consequences will be dire,” Igot stated, linking high youth unemployment to crime, social unrest, and increased migration, as many seek better opportunities abroad.
To address these challenges, Igot advocated for urgent reforms to revamp Nigeria’s education system, emphasizing the need for practical, digital, and entrepreneurial training. She recommended the expansion of vocational education through enhanced government funding and private sector involvement, along with strengthened connections between universities and industries to develop job-relevant curricula.
Despite the significant challenges within the Nigerian job market, some initiatives are making strides. The National Digital Economy Policy aims to equip one million Nigerians with digital skills, while private-sector projects like Microsoft’s Africa Development Center and Google’s Digital Skills for Africa seek to close the skills gap. However, these initiatives must expand to meet the immense demand for skilled workers in the long term, ensuring a more promising future for individuals like Michael Olaniyi and others.
The persistent skills gap in Nigeria continues to hinder job seekers’ chances of employment, despite existing vacancies. Substantial changes to the educational system are necessary to align training with market needs, enabling improvements in vocational education and practical skills. Furthermore, increased collaboration between private sectors and educational institutions could foster a workforce better equipped for today’s job market. Without meaningful intervention, Nigeria risks further exacerbating its unemployment crisis and falling behind in global competitiveness.
Original Source: businessday.ng
