21st century skills and fresh graduates’ employability in Nigeria: the human resource practitioners’ perspective

Abstract

This study investigated the deficits of 21st century skills among fresh graduates in Nigeria and their increased level of unemployment and underemployment. The objective of the study was achieved through the survey of human resource practitioners in Nigeria. Data collected were analysed with both descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings revealed that a significant proportion of Nigerian fresh graduates were deficient in 21st century skills and this has contributed significantly to their underemployment and unemployment over the years. The study concludes that for fresh graduates’ in Nigeria to be employable, they should acquire 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and innovation, local and global connections, and information communication and technology. It was recommended that tertiary educational institutions and government should as a matter of urgency review teaching curricula and encourage the development of lecturers to address the human resource needs of industries in the 21st century and beyond.