Joy Joseph
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Afolabi Lesi, alongside Professor Olajumoke Familoni, President and Provost of ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, and Dr. Wayne Puckett, a human capital and leadership expert from the United States, have collectively urged Nigerian universities to prioritise teaching soft and marketable skills as a critical strategy to reduce youth unemployment in the country.
Their call came during the grand finale of the Career Service Programme, a landmark initiative jointly organised by UNILAG and ICLED Business School. The event featured a dynamic contest of ideas among UNILAG students, aimed at addressing the theme: “Solving the Graduate Unemployment Crisis in Nigeria: The Way Forward.”
Held at the UNILAG NIT Hub, the programme highlighted the practical skills, professional exposure, and entrepreneurial readiness acquired by penultimate and final-year students through ICLED’s Skill-Up Initiative. Over 130 students participated in a comprehensive curriculum focused on four key soft skills tracks: people skills, work readiness, career planning, and leadership development. These sessions were delivered by seasoned industry professionals, providing students with real-world insights and hands-on applications.
In addition to theoretical training, students engaged in mock interviews, CV reviews, and mentorship sessions with career coaches—critical exercises designed to boost their confidence and enhance their employ-ability. The students were also divided into teams to compete in a debate centered on the programme’s theme, showcasing their communication prowess, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving abilities. A panel of judges from corporate organizations, non-governmental organisations [NGOs], and academia assessed the presentations, providing constructive feedback and identifying outstanding talents for further development opportunities.
The Career Service Programme stands as a pioneering model for Nigerian universities, showcasing how targeted soft skills training can empower graduates, reduce unemployment, and contribute to national development.
Declaring the programme open, Professor Afolabi Lesi emphasised the need for universities to equip students with the essential soft skills often missing from traditional academic curricula. “The Office of Career Development Services was established to support students and make them work-ready,” he said. “This training, in partnership with ICLED, covers vital areas such as interview techniques, teamwork, communication, and leadership, skills that are crucial but rarely taught in classrooms. We must listen to our youth and empower them with these competencies. I firmly believe Nigerian students hold the key to solving our nation’s problems.”
Professor Olajumoke Familoni echoed this sentiment, underscoring the importance of bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application. “Unemployment stems largely from a mismatch between education and industry needs,” she noted. “Our students now appreciate the value of collaboration between academia and industry. Entrepreneurship is essential to transforming innovations into jobs and opportunities. This event marks the culmination of nearly two years of preparation and six months of intensive training. I am immensely proud of the students’ progress and their gratitude toward the university for this invaluable exposure.”
Dr. Wayne Puckett, Director at ICLED, commended the students for their exceptional performance. “The students have done an amazing job integrating what they have learned in just six weeks. They proposed insightful solutions to complex challenges. It is vital that these discussions continue beyond the programme, breaking down large problems into actionable steps to effectively combat unemployment.”
Dr. Ayodele Shittu, Team Lead at UNILAG’s Office of Career Development Services, highlighted the partnership’s impact.
Shittu said: “Our goal was to equip students with global citizenship and workplace readiness skills. Through this collaboration with ICLED, students have demonstrated their growth and made UNILAG proud. These young leaders will undoubtedly shape policies and influence decisions on a global scale in the years to come.”
In her remarks, Mrs Ruth Aiyenigba, Managing Director of Pathway Micro-finance Bank, Ikoyi, who is one of the judges, urged the students to make proper use of the skills acquired.
