Osogbo – As Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, marked 60 years of postgraduate education, key figures in Nigeria’s academic sector have called for urgent reforms in higher education to address the rising issue of unemployable graduates. Speaking during the event, former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladapo Afolabi, emphasized the need to overhaul the current curriculum to ensure it reflects societal needs and better prepares students for the job market.
Supporting this view, the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Professor Jonathan Babalola, stressed the importance of shifting focus from certificate acquisition to competence and performance. He advocated for research-driven policy development and performance-based evaluation of graduates, urging both government and institutions to prioritize quality over paper qualifications.
Professor Babalola, while delivering a lecture titled “Postgraduate Studies in Nigeria: The Past, Present and Future,” criticized unethical practices in academia, such as the sale of degrees, plagiarism, and weak supervision. He called for more investment in education and the integration of technology to improve academic standards. He also warned against data falsification in research and stressed the importance of evidence-based policymaking across all levels of government.
Professor Afolabi echoed these sentiments, recalling a time when Nigerian graduates were job-ready and well-equipped to meet societal demands. He lamented the current trend of prioritizing credentials over capability, a development he believes has contributed to youth unemployment and reduced self-reliance. He insisted that the curriculum must be updated to remain relevant and practical.
Highlighting the university’s achievements, the Provost of Postgraduate College, Professor Victor Olaleye, revealed that OAU has awarded 29,887 postgraduate degrees over the last six decades. These include 3,985 Postgraduate Diplomas, 13,813 Professional Masters, 8,247 Masters with Research Thesis, 965 Master of Philosophy, and 2,877 Doctorates. The institution currently has 7,095 enrolled students, including 60 from other countries, offering diverse programmes across 104 departments and 14 faculties.
