As employers increasingly demand workplace skills beyond academic qualifications, Caleb University has brought students and industry leaders together to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the realities of the job market.

The initiative, held as part of the university’s 2026 Employability Fair, focused on equipping students with the skills, networks and opportunities needed to transition successfully into employment.

The two-day event, themed “Beyond the Degree: Unlocking Skills, Networks, and Opportunities for a Dynamic Job Market,” was designed to expose students to employers, strengthen workplace readiness and create opportunities for internships, referrals and employment.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olalekan Asikhia, said universities must go beyond awarding degrees by preparing students for the realities of the labour market.

Addressing business leaders at the fair, he urged them to look beyond academic certificates when recruiting young professionals, describing Caleb graduates as adaptable, technology-driven and equipped with the skills required in today’s workplace.

“Hiring a graduate of this university is not an act of charity or corporate social responsibility. 

It is a strategic business decision,” he said, adding that employers should see the graduates as future leaders capable of bringing fresh ideas and innovation into their organisations.

He also encouraged students to make the most of the networking opportunities provided by the fair, reminding them that employers were searching not only for graduates but also for interns, trainees and future leaders.

Chairman of the 2026 Employability Fair Committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation, Strategy and Administration, Prof. Adesola Adetutu Ajayi, said the initiative was created to address one of Nigeria’s biggest employment challenges by connecting talented graduates with the right opportunities.

According to her, while Nigerian graduates possess the skills employers require, many struggle because they lack access to the right networks and opportunities.

“Talent is not our problem in Nigeria. Opportunities and connections are,” she said, noting that the fair brought together employers, career coaches, entrepreneurs and students ready to learn and begin their careers.

The keynote speaker and Founder of SEED Care and Support Foundation, Mrs Olanrewaju Oniyitan, challenged students to see their degrees as only the beginning of their professional journey.

She said although academic qualifications could secure the first opportunity, long-term career success depends on character, competence and courage.

She urged participants to “Build yourself before you build your career,” stressing that employers increasingly value trustworthiness, effective communication, resilience and the ability to perform under pressure.

“The greatest competitive advantage is not your certificate; it is the person you become,” she said.

Speaking with The Guardian, Acting Director of Parents Engagement and Alumni Relations, Dr Solomon Abiodun Oyeleye, said the fair was established to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace.

According to him, the programme combines career training with direct engagement between students and employers. While the first day focused on interview preparation, personal branding and career development, the second day gave participants the opportunity to interact directly with recruiters, who assessed candidates for possible employment, internships and referrals.

Now in its third edition, Oyeleye said the initiative had already produced positive results, with graduates securing internships and employment opportunities through previous fairs.

He added that success should not be measured solely by the number of jobs offered at the event but also by whether students leave with a clearer understanding of what employers expect and how to position themselves for the next stage of their careers.

Organisations that participated in the fair included MTN Nigeria, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), NNPC Pension, Trustfund Pensions Limited, Obasanjo Holdings Limited, Revolt Media & TV, Telegenic Media, Tungba 100.9 FM, EasyData Global Development Consulting Limited, KOA Consultants Limited, Shepherdfield Schools, Granville Enthoven Insurance Brokers & Pension, Billsbox Services Limited, SABEMA Farm and Agro Services, Benny Delight of Wellness and Academy, and the SEED Care and Support Foundation.