Get Guardian on GoogleThe University of Ibadan (UI) and global educational technology provider Astria Learning have called for stronger university-industry partnerships to equip Nigerian graduates with practical skills needed to compete in an increasingly technology-driven global workplace.
The call was made at the UI Career Fair 2026, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme, ‘From Lecture Halls to Boardrooms: Preparing UI Graduates for the Workplace.’
The event brought together university administrators, corporate recruiters, technology leaders and students to address youth unemployment, digital skills gaps and the need for stronger recruitment links between universities and industry.
Declaring the fair open, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor P. O. Olapegba, said a university degree was only the foundation of a graduate’s professional journey, stressing that students must demonstrate their ability to apply acquired knowledge to practical challenges.
Olapegba, who described the event as the first career fair under his tenure as the 14th Vice-Chancellor, urged students across the university’s main campus, College of Medicine at the University College Hospital (UCH) and affiliated institutions to develop workplace competencies, emotional intelligence, communication skills and professional confidence.
He said: “The transition from the lecture hall to the workplace is more than the completion of a degree programme. It is rather a transition from acquiring knowledge to applying it; from learning theory to solving practical problems; from being guided by lecturers to taking responsibility for decisions; and from preparing for the future to actively shaping it.”
Addressing the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and other emerging technologies on the global economy, the Vice-Chancellor said graduates must be prepared to demonstrate practical competence rather than rely solely on academic qualifications.
“Our graduates must therefore be prepared to demonstrate more than what they know. They must show what they can do with what they know. They must be able to communicate their ideas, work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, use technology responsibly, exercise good judgement, and approach challenges with initiative and resilience,” he said.
He urged students to begin preparing for the workplace before graduation by building relevant skills, strengthening their character and developing meaningful professional relationships.
Also speaking, Professor K. O. Adebowale urged undergraduates to maximise the industry exposure provided by the fair, noting that success in the modern job market required more than academic certificates.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Simisola Oluwatoyin Akintola, said the university was committed to connecting academic research and human capital with the needs of industry.
She identified critical thinking, adaptability, cybersecurity awareness, financial literacy, emotional intelligence and digital proficiency as essential competencies for graduates seeking to succeed in contemporary workplaces.
Akintola, however, identified inadequate access to laptops and other digital tools as a major barrier preventing some students from benefiting from online training, professional certifications and corporate internship opportunities.
She said access to appropriate technology had become a requirement for learning and professional development, urging stakeholders to support efforts to ensure that financial constraints did not exclude capable students from available opportunities.
She also stressed the importance of professional ethics, noting that while technical competence could secure employment, character and professional conduct were necessary for long-term career success.
The convener of the fair, Dr. Oluchi C. Maduka, said the programme was designed around feedback and needs identified through consultations with students.
She said activities included recruitment opportunities, career counselling, professional networking and skills development sessions covering workplace readiness, entrepreneurship, digitalisation and international scholarship opportunities.
Maduka disclosed that the committee had planned to extend masterclasses and skills workshops into early 2027 to ensure that career preparation continued beyond the one-day event.
She added that the committee was seeking partnerships with university donors, alumni and corporate sponsors to provide laptops for final-year students who demonstrated commitment through the training programme.
According to her, the committee also plans to establish a data-driven tracking system to monitor students’ internship placements, assess their workplace experiences and obtain performance feedback from host organisations.
She cited the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture’s (IITA) engagement with 544 students and graduates over the past two years, as well as a partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), which awarded summer course scholarships in Germany to nine UI European Studies students this year.
The fair also featured Astria Learning, its co-organiser and principal educational technology sponsor.
Its founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Jeff Bordes, said Nigerian graduates were increasingly competing in a global labour market shaped by artificial intelligence and automation.
He urged students to acquire digital skills before completing their studies, warning that graduates who delayed preparing for technological changes risked falling behind.
“The global job market is not waiting for anyone. With Artificial Intelligence and automation reshaping industries overnight, Nigerian graduates are no longer competing locally, they are competing on a borderless global stage. If you wait until graduation day to master digital tools and future-ready skills, you are already behind. The transition to boardroom readiness must begin today,” Bordes said.
He said Astria Learning’s partnership with the university was aimed at supporting the transition through digital learning tools, personalised skills pathways and career-readiness programmes suited to the demands of the global workforce.
Meanwhile, the President of the UI Students’ Union Government, Comrade Adeboye Temidayo, urged students to look beyond academic grades and take advantage of opportunities to interact with industry leaders.
He said the fair provided a platform for students to engage directly with chief executives, human resource directors and industry executives who could offer insights into internships, employment and international scholarship opportunities.
A final-year student, Blessing Adeleke, said interacting with corporate leaders and human resource experts had given her a better understanding of workplace expectations.
She said the experience reinforced the importance of communication, emotional intelligence, digital adaptability and professional networking in building a successful career.
The fair ended with employer engagement sessions, personal branding masterclasses, curriculum vitae review clinics and networking opportunities involving undergraduates, recent graduates and representatives of multinational companies, technology organisations and financial institutions.
