A university degree can get a graduate shortlisted for a job, but what happens when an interviewer asks them to describe a problem they solved, explain how they handled a difficult colleague or demonstrate what they can contribute to an organisation?
For many young Nigerians preparing for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the transition from university to employment requires more than academic knowledge. It also demands practical skills, clear communication and the ability to apply what they have learnt to real workplace situations.
The gap between qualifications and workplace readiness remains a concern for Nigerian employers.
In a report published on March 30, 2026, The PUNCH reported findings from recruitment firm Proten International showing that nearly 60% of surveyed employers considered Nigerian graduates inadequately prepared for their roles. The report also found that more than 55% of respondents worked in fields unrelated to their academic backgrounds.
Communication, teamwork, technical proficiency and digital literacy were among the areas identified as needing improvement.
A separate study by Mkpoikanke Sunday Otu, published by IGI Global on February 4, 2025, examined the employability skills of 100 recent graduates and 100 hiring managers and human resources professionals in South-West Nigeria. Published in the book Career Coaching and Employability Skills Acquisition, the study found that graduates often overestimated their practical skills and workplace adaptability, while employers placed greater emphasis on leadership, interpersonal relationships and digital skills.
For graduates, the lesson is straightforward, a certificate matters, but demonstrating what you can do with your knowledge can make a difference during recruitment.
The service year offers an opportunity to begin building that evidence.
In a report published on March 8, 2026, TheCable quoted NYSC Director-General Olakunle Nafiu as saying President Bola Tinubu had approved an additional 50,000 mobilisation slots for 2026, bringing the year’s planned mobilisation total to 418,000 corps members.
Rather than treating the service year simply as a compulsory assignment, graduates can use it to gain experience, develop professional relationships and prepare for life after passing out.
The NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme provides another avenue. According to the scheme’s official website, its activities include skills training, mentoring and entrepreneurship development. Participation, however, is only a starting point; graduates still need to practise and apply what they learn.
Three Practical Steps That Can Help
First, learn to solve problems and document your results. During your primary assignment, identify a task you improved, a challenge you addressed or a project you helped complete. Explain what the problem was, what action you took and what changed. Where possible, include measurable results. This gives you concrete examples to discuss during interviews instead of relying on descriptions such as “hardworking” or “results-oriented”.
Second, strengthen your communication and interpersonal skills. Practise writing concise reports, sending professional emails, listening carefully to instructions and explaining ideas clearly. Ask your supervisor for feedback and work on any weaknesses identified. These habits can demonstrate workplace maturity even when you have limited formal employment experience.
Third, develop digital skills relevant to your chosen career. Learn spreadsheet tools such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, improve your presentation skills and practise using software commonly required in your preferred field. At the same time, build professional relationships with supervisors and colleagues who can provide honest feedback and, where appropriate, references.
No combination of skills guarantees a job, and individual graduates cannot solve the structural challenges affecting Nigeria’s labour market. But practical preparation can help them compete more effectively for available opportunities.
Before your passing-out date, ask yourself three questions: What problem have I solved? What practical skill can I demonstrate? Who can speak credibly about my work?
Your degree tells an employer what you studied. Your experience, skills and examples help show what you can do.
