A stakeholder, Mr Hakeem Ogunniran, has called for the alignment of curricula in nation’s higher institutions to match with the current realities and future toward addressing the unemployment.
Ogunniran, the Managing Director/Chief Executive, UACN Property Development Company Plc, made the call at the 21st Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
The lecture is entitled: “Beyond Education: Bridging the Gaps for Graduates Employability.’’
Ogunniran said it was unfortunate that the curricula of most higher institutions in the country were not designed to incorporate the teaching of life skills.
He said that the teaching methods in higher institutions were largely theoretical, which he said, stakeholders had been clamouring for its reform.
According to him, the undue emphasis on scores and grades as the outcome of students learning ability tends to obscure the ultimate objective of learning practical application to real life situation.
Ogunniran then urged higher institution to undertake a critical self-assessment of their roles, rather than simply rushing the students through their campuses.
He said that the problem of graduates’ employability portends danger to the society and also a potential source of instability and social unrest.
”This is apart from disenfranchising many young people from contributing to the national development and their parents and guardians from reaping the benefits of their investments,” he said.
Ogunniran urged career and counselling units in tertiary institutions to actively engage the students on career choices and job search strategies.
He said that they should teach them about the survival skills, goal setting, self-management, other reflective and decision making skills.
Ogunniran said that the higher institutions should also lay emphasis on entrepreneurship development which would help the students to apply their knowledge in practice and acquire skills that would make them employable.
The stakeholder said that beyond the award of certificates, they should contribute to preparing the graduates for work and participation in the society.
He also urged the graduates to imbibe a new mind set, re-order their priorities and develop a robust perspective on works consistent with the current realities.
Ogunniran advised parents and guardians to come to terms with the reality that the idea of “a degree simpliciter being the pathway to good life has gone forever’’.
According to him, businesses and employers also need a new orientation by opening up and actively participate in all efforts to bridge the gap between skills, knowledge, value of graduates and the requirement of labour market.
“Building formal mentoring platforms will also boost graduates employability, because mentors will help and support the mentees through sharing and counselling.
“They will guide them and enhance their knowledge and experience in navigating the world of work and business,” he said.
Ogunniran urged the government to create an enabling environment, through policy consistency and strategic intervention, for the higher institutions to improve on the quality of courses they offer.
He said that government should also play a dominant role in higher education delivery through adequate funding, regulatory, advisory, management, among others.
