In a quest to promote the quality of graduates entering the labour market in the country, the 1994 graduates of Actuarial Science and Insurance Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have called for a stronger collaboration between academia and industry stakeholders.

They also said that bridging the gap in knowledge, research, and funding is critical to supporting the university’s mission of producing a workforce capable of meeting the demands of both industries and the broader economy.

Speaking on the development, the president of the UNILAG 1994 Actuarial Science and Insurance Department, Samson Akinyemi, shared these thoughts at the sideline of their 30th Anniversary Celebration in Lagos. Akinyemi, who is also the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria (CPIN), noted that while universities produce large numbers of graduates annually, there remains a significant disconnect between what is taught in the classroom and the evolving requirements of the job market.

“This is our first return to the university community in 30 years, and it is an honour to give back,” Akinyemi said. “During our visit, we observed that many students are struggling with the financial burden of their education, including tuition fees and other academic expenses.”

He further pointed out that there is a substantial knowledge gap in the industry, one that needs to be addressed through targeted training to develop a workforce capable of meeting the demands of today’s dynamic economic environment.