Skills Mismatch among Graduate of Tertiary Education in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the factors responsible for skills mismatch among graduate of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Using secondary data that were collected from both print materials and online publications. The paper identified weak industry-academia collaboration, weak public institutions, poor investment in tertiary institutions, lack of autonomy of tertiary institutions, lack of effective graduate employability feedback, poor implementation of policies and programme, poor curriculum planning and development and irrelevant courses and outdated curriculum as factors responsible for skills mismatch among Nigerian tertiary institutions graduate. Based on these problems identified, the paper hereby suggested the following. The federal government should declare state of emergency on tertiary education in Nigeria and call for national dialogue on reformation of tertiary education in Nigeria with key areas of funding model, management and supervision. There should be increment in investment to tertiary education in Nigeria. The federal government should direct National universities commission, National Board for Technical Education andNational Commission for Colleges of Education and their respective association of Vice chancellors, Rectors and provost to create a platform to engage and collaborate with major private employer of labour in Nigeria.