Relevance of Employability Skills to Undergraduate Career Path across Disciplines in Nigerian Institutions

Abstract

This study examined Nigerian undergraduates’ perceptions of the relevance of employability skills across academic disciplines. A comparative survey design was adopted, using a stratified random sampling technique to ensure representation across federal, state, and private universities. The study sample comprised 1,594 undergraduates drawn from diverse disciplines, including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA. Findings revealed significant differences in students’ perceptions of employability skills across disciplines. While undergraduates generally recognised the importance of employability skills such as resilience (64.1%), self-efficacy (60.4%), and commitment (64.0%) are especially relevant for students who want to work in science and technology-based firms; communication, teamwork, and problem solving are rated less relevant by engineering students compared to their peers in other disciplines. The study concluded that undergraduates’ perceptions of employability skills are discipline sensitive, highlighting the need for differentiated support mechanisms. It recommended that universities strengthen career counselling services and integrate both soft and technical skills into discipline-specific curricula. Policymakers and educators should also adopt a balanced educational model that values holistic competence development to enhance graduate employability in Nigeria’s competitive labour market.