TOLUWANI ENIOLA writes that with the
current economic recession, overseas-trained Nigerians who spent
millions of naira on foreign degrees, are finding it difficult to secure
jobs after returning home.
After spending over £15000 (over N4m)
and more than a year of rigorous studies at the Birmingham City
University, United Kingdom, Titus Agu’s joy knew no bounds in 2014 when
he successfully completed a master’s degree programme in Environmental
Sustainability.
and more than a year of rigorous studies at the Birmingham City
University, United Kingdom, Titus Agu’s joy knew no bounds in 2014 when
he successfully completed a master’s degree programme in Environmental
Sustainability.
Brandishing his certificate with smiles,
Agu posed in his convocation robe as the photographer took turns to
capture the moment. He believed that with his second degree, his dream
to be gainfully employed in one of Nigeria’s multinational companies was
about to come to reality.
Agu posed in his convocation robe as the photographer took turns to
capture the moment. He believed that with his second degree, his dream
to be gainfully employed in one of Nigeria’s multinational companies was
about to come to reality.
Agu’s expectation was that upon arrival
in Nigeria, he would be gainfully employed to compensate for the huge
cost of his education in the UK. This is because, in the nation’s labour
market, those who study abroad often get better recognition than their
counterparts from varsities in the country.
in Nigeria, he would be gainfully employed to compensate for the huge
cost of his education in the UK. This is because, in the nation’s labour
market, those who study abroad often get better recognition than their
counterparts from varsities in the country.
The same degree could be obtained for
less than £2000 (N500, 000) in Nigerian universities. But the prestige
attached to a UK education and the prospects of getting a good job in
the country often makes Britain and other foreign countries a desirable
option.
less than £2000 (N500, 000) in Nigerian universities. But the prestige
attached to a UK education and the prospects of getting a good job in
the country often makes Britain and other foreign countries a desirable
option.
According to a 2016 ranking of
universities across the world released by the Centre for World
University, no Nigerian university is ranked among the world’s top 1000
varsities.
universities across the world released by the Centre for World
University, no Nigerian university is ranked among the world’s top 1000
varsities.
Things started to fall apart for Agu
when he could not get a job months after returning to the country.
Applying to relevant companies suddenly became a frustrating routine. He
got no response from the scores of places he submitted his curriculum
vitae to and the only interview he attended was not successful.
when he could not get a job months after returning to the country.
Applying to relevant companies suddenly became a frustrating routine. He
got no response from the scores of places he submitted his curriculum
vitae to and the only interview he attended was not successful.
Sharing his experience with SUNDAY PUNCH,
Agu said, “I left for the UK in 2012 for further studies because of the
prestige and quality of education in Birmingham City University.
Agu said, “I left for the UK in 2012 for further studies because of the
prestige and quality of education in Birmingham City University.
“I expected that I would have a better
chance of securing a job in top-ranked companies in Nigeria. I chose the
UK because the mode of learning there is better compared to Nigerian
varsities.
chance of securing a job in top-ranked companies in Nigeria. I chose the
UK because the mode of learning there is better compared to Nigerian
varsities.
“When I returned home, I applied to many
companies but got no response. It’s very unfortunate that my master’s
degree certificate could not fetch me a job in the country, especially
when one considers the investment put into getting an elite education.”
companies but got no response. It’s very unfortunate that my master’s
degree certificate could not fetch me a job in the country, especially
when one considers the investment put into getting an elite education.”
Agu noticed that he was getting
frustrated and humbly became an apprentice to a local cobbler to learn
shoemaking, after sitting idle at home for months.
frustrated and humbly became an apprentice to a local cobbler to learn
shoemaking, after sitting idle at home for months.
According to him, becoming a cobbler,
despite having two degrees, is akin to a curse. But he has been able
turn the ‘curse’ into a blessing.
despite having two degrees, is akin to a curse. But he has been able
turn the ‘curse’ into a blessing.
Narrating his experience, he said,
“Learning shoemaking didn’t go down well with many who felt that I was
demeaning myself making shoes because I hold a master’s degree from the
UK. Becoming a cobbler despite my education was a foolish decision to
some people. They felt that with a foreign degree, I shouldn’t be doing
what is considered a job for uneducated folks in the country.
Joblessness spurred me to consider entrepreneurship.”
“Learning shoemaking didn’t go down well with many who felt that I was
demeaning myself making shoes because I hold a master’s degree from the
UK. Becoming a cobbler despite my education was a foolish decision to
some people. They felt that with a foreign degree, I shouldn’t be doing
what is considered a job for uneducated folks in the country.
Joblessness spurred me to consider entrepreneurship.”
Pains of foreign degrees
Agu’s fruitless search for job is the
same fate many Nigerians who spent millions of dollars and pounds to
study in the UK, US, Canada and other countries suffer.
same fate many Nigerians who spent millions of dollars and pounds to
study in the UK, US, Canada and other countries suffer.
Every year, owing to the low quality of
education in some Nigerian varsities, job prospects and better
opportunities, many Nigerian students opt for overseas education.
education in some Nigerian varsities, job prospects and better
opportunities, many Nigerian students opt for overseas education.
The 2016 Open Doors report on
International Educational Exchange indicated that 10,674 Nigerians were
studying in the United States during the 2015-16 academic year.
International Educational Exchange indicated that 10,674 Nigerians were
studying in the United States during the 2015-16 academic year.
The report, published annually by the
Institute of International Education, in partnership with the US
Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, stated
that the figure marked the highest number of Nigerians studying in the
United States since 1986. There are millions of Nigerians studying in
the UK, Canada, Russia, Ghana among others.
Institute of International Education, in partnership with the US
Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, stated
that the figure marked the highest number of Nigerians studying in the
United States since 1986. There are millions of Nigerians studying in
the UK, Canada, Russia, Ghana among others.
The upsurge of interest in foreign
universities’ degrees is fuelled by the perception that such degrees
command prestige back home and gives the holders an edge over other job
seekers who studied in Nigerian universities.
universities’ degrees is fuelled by the perception that such degrees
command prestige back home and gives the holders an edge over other job
seekers who studied in Nigerian universities.
But with the biting hardship caused by
the economic recession, these returnee graduates are no longer as
popular as they used to be.
the economic recession, these returnee graduates are no longer as
popular as they used to be.
Some of them, who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH, said their failure to get jobs at home made them feel that their acquisition of education abroad was a waste of resources.
Ada Ihuoma, a 24-year-old MBA graduate
of the University of Huddersfield, UK, has been searching for jobs to no
avail since she returned home from the UK a year ago.
of the University of Huddersfield, UK, has been searching for jobs to no
avail since she returned home from the UK a year ago.
Ihuoma, who obtained a BSc degree in
Nigeria before travelling to the UK, said she was beginning to regret
spending over N6m, the estimated cost of her MBA in the UK, because of
her inability to get a job.
Nigeria before travelling to the UK, said she was beginning to regret
spending over N6m, the estimated cost of her MBA in the UK, because of
her inability to get a job.
“My job search has been fruitless since I
returned to Nigeria. After earning a degree in Computer Science, I
couldn’t get a job. So, rather than wait for a job, I reasoned that an
MBA would not only increase my chances of securing a job but also boost
my education profile.
returned to Nigeria. After earning a degree in Computer Science, I
couldn’t get a job. So, rather than wait for a job, I reasoned that an
MBA would not only increase my chances of securing a job but also boost
my education profile.
“Some days ago, after ruminating on my
inability to secure a job in Nigeria, I wished I had the N6m I used in
obtaining the MBA. There are so many lucrative business ideas I would
like to prosecute now. Although I do not regret going abroad to study, I
don’t find it funny that I am jobless,” she told SUNDAY PUNCH.
inability to secure a job in Nigeria, I wished I had the N6m I used in
obtaining the MBA. There are so many lucrative business ideas I would
like to prosecute now. Although I do not regret going abroad to study, I
don’t find it funny that I am jobless,” she told SUNDAY PUNCH.
Also, Yewande Osamein, a graduate of
Advertising at the University of West-London, is facing a similar
challenge. Since she returned to Nigeria last year, Osamein said
employers have not been forthcoming with responses on her series of
applications for jobs.
Advertising at the University of West-London, is facing a similar
challenge. Since she returned to Nigeria last year, Osamein said
employers have not been forthcoming with responses on her series of
applications for jobs.
Osamein said she spent up to N20m on her
degree, adding that the hope of getting quality education and better
job chances also made her consider travelling to the UK.
degree, adding that the hope of getting quality education and better
job chances also made her consider travelling to the UK.
“Getting a job, even with a UK-degree in
Nigeria is daunting. Inability to get a job after investing much in
education is frustrating. It is high time the governments raised the bar
of the country’s educational system for an enabling environment for the
youth to get jobs,” she told our correspondent.
Nigeria is daunting. Inability to get a job after investing much in
education is frustrating. It is high time the governments raised the bar
of the country’s educational system for an enabling environment for the
youth to get jobs,” she told our correspondent.
Big loss for Nigeria
Recent statistics released by the
Nigerian Bureau of Statistics showed that the economic recession has led
to 1.5 million job losses. In the 2016 report on underemployment and
unemployment in Nigeria, the NBS stated that the country’s unemployment
rate rose from 10.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2015 to 12.1 per
cent. The fear of unemployment has led to an increase in the proportion
of Nigerians who stay in their countries of study after graduation.
Nigerian Bureau of Statistics showed that the economic recession has led
to 1.5 million job losses. In the 2016 report on underemployment and
unemployment in Nigeria, the NBS stated that the country’s unemployment
rate rose from 10.4 per cent in the last quarter of 2015 to 12.1 per
cent. The fear of unemployment has led to an increase in the proportion
of Nigerians who stay in their countries of study after graduation.
Since he graduated three years ago from a
Russian university, Bode Ngochindo, told our correspondent that the
frightening unemployment situation in Nigeria had made him stay back in
Russia. Ngochindo said unemployment was scaring many Nigerian graduates
from returning home.
Russian university, Bode Ngochindo, told our correspondent that the
frightening unemployment situation in Nigeria had made him stay back in
Russia. Ngochindo said unemployment was scaring many Nigerian graduates
from returning home.
He added that many Nigerian students
with brilliant ideas considered it unwise to return home because of the
low chances of achieving their visions in the country.
with brilliant ideas considered it unwise to return home because of the
low chances of achieving their visions in the country.
Just like Ngochindo, Fadekemi Adetosoye,
a Political Science bachelor’s degree holder from the University of
Pittsburgh, US, is not finding it easy getting a job with her degree
which she spent about N55m to obtain.
a Political Science bachelor’s degree holder from the University of
Pittsburgh, US, is not finding it easy getting a job with her degree
which she spent about N55m to obtain.
She is employed in the United States but
would not risk coming back home because her applications for job in
Nigeria have not been fruitful.
would not risk coming back home because her applications for job in
Nigeria have not been fruitful.
Adetosoye, who shared her story with SUNDAY PUNCH,
said, “I currently work as a consultant in the US. I am hoping to apply
the experience in the Nigerian market. I have had difficulty applying
on the websites of a few multinational companies, and it has also been a
challenge to reach out to their HR contacts as well.
said, “I currently work as a consultant in the US. I am hoping to apply
the experience in the Nigerian market. I have had difficulty applying
on the websites of a few multinational companies, and it has also been a
challenge to reach out to their HR contacts as well.
“It usually involves knowing someone who
can help link one in the right direction to get things going. It’s
tough, but that’s the nature of things. I guess, and I’ve learned to
accept it and adapt as needed.”
can help link one in the right direction to get things going. It’s
tough, but that’s the nature of things. I guess, and I’ve learned to
accept it and adapt as needed.”
Apart from the fact that Nigeria is
losing some of its best brains to other countries, the nation is losing
millions of dollars yearly due the rush for overseas education.
losing some of its best brains to other countries, the nation is losing
millions of dollars yearly due the rush for overseas education.
Experts say the rush to foreign
varsities by Nigerian students underscored the importance of an urgent
overhaul of the country’s university system.
varsities by Nigerian students underscored the importance of an urgent
overhaul of the country’s university system.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Exam
Ethics International, estimated that Nigeria lost N1.5tr as capital
flight to overseas education. The estimated loss figure of N1.5tr is
more than one-sixth of the country’s 2016 budget.
Ethics International, estimated that Nigeria lost N1.5tr as capital
flight to overseas education. The estimated loss figure of N1.5tr is
more than one-sixth of the country’s 2016 budget.
Stakeholders say the UK, US, Canada,
South Africa, Ghana and other the countries are inadvertently profiting
from the failure of Nigeria to revamp its university education.
South Africa, Ghana and other the countries are inadvertently profiting
from the failure of Nigeria to revamp its university education.
The National President of the Academic
Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the rush for
overseas education was unfortunate, noting that if the Federal
Government could invest in the education sector, Nigerians would be
encouraged to study at home.
Staff Union of Universities, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the rush for
overseas education was unfortunate, noting that if the Federal
Government could invest in the education sector, Nigerians would be
encouraged to study at home.
Ogunyemi, who lamented the loss to
overseas education, said he envisioned a new Nigeria typical of the
1950s and 1960s when citizens of other African countries came to study
in Nigerian varsities.
overseas education, said he envisioned a new Nigeria typical of the
1950s and 1960s when citizens of other African countries came to study
in Nigerian varsities.
He said, “I think we should first ask
why Nigerian students are going out to study abroad. If we fix our
educational system, we will stop this exodus and education tourism.
Considering the amount of money we are losing, it calls for concern.
why Nigerian students are going out to study abroad. If we fix our
educational system, we will stop this exodus and education tourism.
Considering the amount of money we are losing, it calls for concern.
“Ultimately, we have to address the
issue of why our youths are going abroad for education in places that
ordinarily would not have been of interest to them. Many of them are
also taking risks by going to volatile areas.”
issue of why our youths are going abroad for education in places that
ordinarily would not have been of interest to them. Many of them are
also taking risks by going to volatile areas.”
Also, a financial expert, Yemi Soladoye, in an interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, maintained that the country was losing too much to overseas education in foreign exchange.
Soladoye asked the President Muhammadu
Buhari-led Federal Government to revamp universities in each region of
the country so that Nigerians would be encouraged to study in the
country.
Buhari-led Federal Government to revamp universities in each region of
the country so that Nigerians would be encouraged to study in the
country.
“I cannot blame parents and guardians
who prefer their wards to study abroad. These parents are not
necessarily rich but they believe that quality education is the greatest
legacy they can give their children.
who prefer their wards to study abroad. These parents are not
necessarily rich but they believe that quality education is the greatest
legacy they can give their children.
“But this rush for overseas education
calls for concern. It is an opportunity for the government to invest in
education because we are losing much in foreign exchange. I will
encourage the government to build world-class universities. This is
achievable if we put resources into this.”
calls for concern. It is an opportunity for the government to invest in
education because we are losing much in foreign exchange. I will
encourage the government to build world-class universities. This is
achievable if we put resources into this.”
Returnee graduates losing relevance
A human resources manager at a job
recruitment firm in Lagos, Toju Ashogbon, told our correspondent that
his firm has over 2,000 CVs of Nigerian with foreign degrees in its
inventory looking for jobs.
recruitment firm in Lagos, Toju Ashogbon, told our correspondent that
his firm has over 2,000 CVs of Nigerian with foreign degrees in its
inventory looking for jobs.
Ashogbon said the applicants are no
longer as attractive as they used to be as employers now prefer hiring
graduates from the country’s private varsities because they could offer
them less renumeration than overseas graduates.
longer as attractive as they used to be as employers now prefer hiring
graduates from the country’s private varsities because they could offer
them less renumeration than overseas graduates.
The HR expert noted that its firm had
secured employments for over 500 graduates, including those who studied
in the UK, the US and other top destinations, with the average starting
salaries ranging from N80,000 to N120,000 monthly.
secured employments for over 500 graduates, including those who studied
in the UK, the US and other top destinations, with the average starting
salaries ranging from N80,000 to N120,000 monthly.
“Graduates from private universities in
Nigeria have a competitive edge over those returning from the UK, US and
others. Clients now prefer hiring graduates of private universities
because they can offer them a little less than the foreign graduates and
still get the same quality of job delivery and performance.
Nigeria have a competitive edge over those returning from the UK, US and
others. Clients now prefer hiring graduates of private universities
because they can offer them a little less than the foreign graduates and
still get the same quality of job delivery and performance.
“Owing to the recession, a candidate who
is good and can take less is preferred to one who studied abroad, who
usually have higher expectations in terms of salaries,” he told SUNDAY PUNCH.
is good and can take less is preferred to one who studied abroad, who
usually have higher expectations in terms of salaries,” he told SUNDAY PUNCH.
Another HR expert, Afolabi Akindele,
buttressed Ashogbo’s views. He maintained that graduates who studied
abroad have lost their advantage in the local market because they often
lack the skills needed in organisations.
buttressed Ashogbo’s views. He maintained that graduates who studied
abroad have lost their advantage in the local market because they often
lack the skills needed in organisations.
He stressed that skills acquisition was as important as the quality of education.
Speaking on ways to be successful in the
crowded labour market, Akindele said, “Graduates, who studied either in
Nigeria or abroad, should focus on skills acquisition rather than mere
paper qualifications. It is a big problem for us in Nigeria because we
tend to celebrate paper qualification than skills.
crowded labour market, Akindele said, “Graduates, who studied either in
Nigeria or abroad, should focus on skills acquisition rather than mere
paper qualifications. It is a big problem for us in Nigeria because we
tend to celebrate paper qualification than skills.
“That’s why some people claim to have
studied abroad and when you give them the job, they cannot do it. The
graduates need to invest in skills acquisition, developing
problem-solving competencies and leadership qualities. These are what
organisations are looking out for in any candidates. An organisation
wants to solve problems. If you don’t have the required skills to solve
the organisation’s problems, your paper qualification, irrespective of
how prestigious the university which issued it, it is useless.”
studied abroad and when you give them the job, they cannot do it. The
graduates need to invest in skills acquisition, developing
problem-solving competencies and leadership qualities. These are what
organisations are looking out for in any candidates. An organisation
wants to solve problems. If you don’t have the required skills to solve
the organisation’s problems, your paper qualification, irrespective of
how prestigious the university which issued it, it is useless.”
Ashogbon advised the returnee graduates
to consider entrepreneurship, noting that their frustration in getting
jobs back home points to the fact that Nigeria needs more of job
creators than job seekers.
to consider entrepreneurship, noting that their frustration in getting
jobs back home points to the fact that Nigeria needs more of job
creators than job seekers.
Agu called on graduates who are finding
it difficult to get jobs to embrace entrepreneurship. According to him,
he now lives a better life after he made the decision to learn a trade.
it difficult to get jobs to embrace entrepreneurship. According to him,
he now lives a better life after he made the decision to learn a trade.
He said, “Being a cobbler has become
very rewarding for me although there are many challenges. The beauty of
it is that I now have my shoemaking business which I have been running
for over one year. I make more money than most companies would have paid
me monthly and I am happy.
very rewarding for me although there are many challenges. The beauty of
it is that I now have my shoemaking business which I have been running
for over one year. I make more money than most companies would have paid
me monthly and I am happy.
“I engage about 10 workers who are also
learning the trade under my supervision. Creating shoe factories in all
cities of Nigeria is my goal. The same people who jeered at me for
becoming a cobbler despite my UK degree now patronise me for footwear.”
learning the trade under my supervision. Creating shoe factories in all
cities of Nigeria is my goal. The same people who jeered at me for
becoming a cobbler despite my UK degree now patronise me for footwear.”