Changing Lanes: Enabling New Skills to Succeed in Nigeria

Abstract

Scholarly studies on employability and promotion are substantial but little has been done on the effect of changes in skills demand on employment opportunities for the job seekers and graduates of the Nigerian tertiary institutions. This study, therefore, examines the changes in skills requirements in the Nigerian and global labour markets occasioned by technological advancement, climate change, globalization, and demographic changes with a view to creating awareness on the new skills necessary for job seekers beyond formal training; as a way of promoting employability and career development of Nigerian youths in the labour markets. This study uses multidisciplinary approach of data gathering and analysis. It makes use of secondary sources in addition to interviews conducted with purposively selected stakeholders in human capital development; information, communication and technology industry; teaching and non-teaching staff of selected universities- University of Ibadan, Ibadan; Adeleke University, Ede, Osun state, and Osun state University, Osogbo, Osun state. The research findings reveal the staggering skill gaps in the labour markets; the necessary skills for employability in the 21^st century digital age; the weakness and strength of career and counselling units in the selected universities.