Labour minister charges varsities

Yekini Jimoh, Ilorin - 03.06.2009

AUTHORITIES of Nigerian universities have been enjoined to ensure that programmes being run in institutions are structured to enhance the employability of graduates and to offer support to the workforce.

The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said this on Tuesday while delivering an address at the 24th Conference of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, which was hosted by the University of Ilorin, in Kwara State.

According to him, skills were profitable if they were transferable and productively utilised in different enterprises, both in the informal and formal economy.

Kayode said emphasis should be placed on entrepreneural development to make Nigerian graduates well equipped for self employment, innovation and creativity.

The minister, who said the implication of many of the processes of globalisation, knowledge redefinition and graduate employment were yet to be addressed by most universities, added that the scale of the challenges should, however, not be underestimated.

“There is the need for university authorities to provide structure for fostering partnership between the university and employers, a national portal should be established to effectively link industry and universities in the country,” he said.