The Centre for Counselling and Career Services at Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, has hosted a one-day capacity-building workshop to enhance career guidance and improve employability skills among principal officers, deans, directors, heads of departments, level advisers, and final-year students.
The workshop, held at the University Auditorium, was themed “Career Service Enlightenment and Employment Opportunities” and aimed at bridging the gap between academic training and the fast-changing demands of the modern labour market.
Declaring the workshop open, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman—represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Mohammed Aliyu Bello—described the initiative as timely, given the rapid evolution of the global job market.
“The era when degrees automatically guaranteed jobs is over. Employers now seek skills, character, innovation, and adaptability.
This workshop will prepare our students to become not only job seekers but job creators,” he said.
He further stressed the need for universities to align academic programmes with market realities by equipping students with 21st-century skills such as digital literacy, communication, artificial intelligence, and adaptability.
Professor Sulaiman also revealed that the University is working to institutionalise the Centre as a hub for industry engagement, alumni mentoring, internship placements, and professional development.
In her remarks, the Director of the Centre, Professor (Mrs) Rose O. Bukoye, described the Centre as a critical platform for preparing students for the world of work.
She noted that graduate unemployment remains a major challenge in Nigeria and called for stronger collaboration between universities, government, and the private sector.
She highlighted the Centre’s services, which include career counselling, job search training, résumé writing, alumni networking, and skill-building in leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and ICT.
She also urged the government to drive economic diversification, strengthen entrepreneurship education, and support small businesses with funding and mentorship.
Professor Bukoye further called for robust labour market interventions, industry–university partnerships, and incentives to curb brain drain, while charging Nigerian youths to embrace integrity, shun crime, and see themselves as future leaders.
The workshop featured presentations on:
“Bridging the Skills Gap: Leveraging ICT to Improve Students’ Employability” by Director of ICT, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi.
“The Role of Level Advisers in Students’ Academic and Career Success” by Professor James B. Omonu.
“Entrepreneurship Innovation and Employability: Creating Opportunities for Students’ Success” by Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship Innovation and Development, Mrs. Zarah Uthman.
In her vote of thanks, University Counsellor, Professor (Mrs) Felicia Omini, expressed appreciation to the University management, staff of the Centre, and participants for their contributions to the success of the workshop.
