Why fresh graduate difficult to get job in nigeria

Fresh graduates find it difficult to get jobs in Nigeria due to a combination of factors, including a mismatch between skills and market needs, an abundance of graduates chasing few jobs, and systemic issues like nepotism and corruption.

Employers often require significant experience, while the education system may not always provide graduates with the modern, technical, and soft skills employers seek, making it hard to compete.

1. Learning Outcome

After reading this article, you will be able to:

Understand the major reasons why fresh graduates find it difficult to get a job in Nigeria.
Recognize the role of education, experience, and economic factors in graduate unemployment.
Identify steps to improve your employability and find job opportunities even with no experience.
Learn practical ways to build relevant skills and increase your chances of getting hired.

2. Topic Goal

The goal of this topic is to help young graduates understand the real reasons behind unemployment in Nigeria, the challenges they face when searching for their first job, and practical ways to overcome these barriers. By the end, you will have a clearer picture of what to do differently to stand out and secure a job in a competitive market.

3. Introduction

Finding a job after graduation is one of the biggest struggles many young Nigerians face today. Every year, thousands of students graduate from universities, polytechnics, and colleges, filled with hope and excitement about the future. They dream of getting good jobs, earning money, and building a stable life.

However, reality often hits differently. Many fresh graduates spend months or even years searching for work without success. Job applications go unanswered, interviews are rare, and most job openings ask for years of experience — something they don’t yet have. This situation leads many to ask the same question: Why fresh graduate difficult to get job in Nigeria?

The problem is not just about the lack of jobs but also about the gap between what the job market needs and what many graduates have to offer. This article explains the main reasons behind this difficulty and provides helpful advice for fresh graduates trying to start their careers in Nigeria.

Topic Content

Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in Africa, but also one of the highest youth unemployment rates. Many fresh graduates face countless challenges in getting their first job. To understand why, we need to look at different factors — from education quality to economic conditions and employer expectations.

1. The Growing Number of Graduates and Limited Job Opportunities

Every year, Nigerian universities and polytechnics produce hundreds of thousands of graduates. However, the number of available jobs does not grow at the same rate. The country’s economy is struggling, and many industries are not expanding fast enough to absorb new workers.

Private companies are cutting costs, public institutions are full, and few new businesses are being created. This creates a huge gap between job seekers and available positions. Even those with good grades find it hard to compete because there are simply not enough opportunities for everyone.

In this situation, why is it difficult to get a job in Nigeria? The answer lies partly in the imbalance between supply (graduates) and demand (available jobs). When too many people apply for one position, employers have the power to choose only the best — often those with prior experience.

2. Lack of Work Experience

Most job advertisements in Nigeria ask for at least one or two years of work experience. But how can a fresh graduate have experience when they have just finished school?

This is one of the biggest frustrations for young job seekers. Employers prefer candidates who can start working with little or no training. They assume fresh graduates may not yet have the practical skills or workplace habits needed to perform effectively.

So, why is it so hard to get a job after graduating? It’s because many organizations do not want to spend time and money training new employees. They would rather hire someone who already knows the job. Unfortunately, this leaves fresh graduates in a difficult position — needing experience to get a job but needing a job to gain experience.

3. Skills Gap Between Education and Job Market Needs

Another major reason why fresh graduate difficult to get job in Nigeria is the gap between what students learn in school and what employers need.

The Nigerian education system is often more theoretical than practical. Students focus on passing exams, writing long essays, and memorizing notes, but many graduate without the hands-on skills required in real workplaces. For example, an engineering graduate may have good grades but may not know how to use certain technical tools or software needed by companies.

Employers today are also looking for “soft skills” like communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving — things that are rarely taught in classrooms. When fresh graduates lack these skills, it becomes even harder for them to stand out.

4. Economic Instability and High Cost of Business

Nigeria’s economy has faced many challenges — from inflation and unstable electricity to insecurity and poor infrastructure. When businesses struggle to survive, they reduce their workforce or stop hiring altogether.

For young graduates, this means fewer job openings. Companies may freeze recruitment or prefer to use short-term or contract staff to save money. This explains why it is difficult to get a job in Nigeria, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the backbone of the economy.

When the economy is unstable, even experienced workers lose their jobs, pushing fresh graduates further down the hiring list.

5. Poor Job Search Skills and Lack of Networking

Many fresh graduates rely only on online job applications or random submissions of CVs. They often don’t know how to network or connect with professionals in their field. In reality, many job opportunities in Nigeria are not publicly advertised; they are filled through referrals or internal recommendations.

Building relationships, attending events, joining professional groups, and using social media platforms like LinkedIn can open doors that normal applications cannot.

Therefore, one major reason why fresh graduate difficult to get job in Nigeria is that many do not understand how the hidden job market works. Networking and personal branding are key skills that are often overlooked.

6. Unrealistic Salary Expectations and Career Choices

Some fresh graduates also make the mistake of expecting high salaries or prestigious positions immediately after school. They apply only for big organizations and reject smaller roles that could help them gain experience.

While it is good to aim high, the job market requires flexibility. Starting with internships, volunteer roles, or entry-level jobs can build your skills and network, eventually leading to better opportunities.

When graduates are too selective, they might miss chances to learn and grow, which delays their employment journey.

7. Corruption and Nepotism in Recruitment

Sadly, corruption and favoritism remain major barriers in Nigeria’s job market. Some employers give jobs to relatives, friends, or people with connections rather than to qualified applicants. Others expect job seekers to pay bribes before being hired.

This discourages many fresh graduates who do not have “connections” or the financial means to influence recruitment processes. As a result, genuine and talented young people are left out, deepening the question of why is it so hard to get a job after graduating in Nigeria.

8. Limited Internship and Graduate Training Programs

In many countries, universities partner with industries to help students gain work experience before graduation. But in Nigeria, such opportunities are limited.

The one-year NYSC program is meant to bridge that gap, but it is not enough. Many NYSC placements are in unrelated fields or under-resourced organizations where corps members gain little or no useful experience.

Without proper exposure to the professional environment, graduates struggle to prove their readiness for full-time roles, adding to why fresh graduate difficult to get job after completing their studies.

9. Technological Changes and Lack of Digital Skills

The world is changing fast due to technology, but many Nigerian graduates are not keeping up. Employers now expect workers to know how to use computers, data tools, social media, and digital platforms.

Unfortunately, many universities still do not teach these skills adequately. Graduates who lack digital literacy find it hard to fit into modern workplaces.

Learning how to use tools like Microsoft Office, Canva, data analysis software, or online communication platforms can make a big difference. Digital competence is now a core requirement in almost every profession.

10. How to Get a Job as a Graduate with No Experience

Even with these challenges, there are ways to overcome them. Fresh graduates can improve their employability by focusing on the following strategies:

Learn Practical and Digital Skills: Enroll in online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or Google Digital Skills.
Start Internships or Volunteer Work: This helps build experience and demonstrate commitment.
Create a Strong CV and Online Profile: Use LinkedIn to show your achievements, skills, and projects.
Network Effectively: Attend career events, seminars, and connect with people in your field.
Be Open to Small Opportunities: Starting small can lead to bigger opportunities.

When you follow these steps, it becomes easier to find the easiest job to get with no experience and gradually move up in your career.

4. Conclusion

In summary, the main reasons why fresh graduate difficult to get job in Nigeria include the mismatch between education and industry needs, lack of work experience, limited job opportunities, and weak professional networks.

However, unemployment is not a permanent condition. With the right mindset, continuous learning, and willingness to adapt, fresh graduates can find their place in the job market.

Employers should also take responsibility by creating more graduate trainee programs and valuing potential over experience. The government, universities, and private sector must work together to bridge the skill gap and create more jobs.

The journey may be hard, but every challenge brings a lesson. With patience, effort, and skill-building, every graduate can eventually find meaningful employment in Nigeria.

5. Self-Assessment

Why is it difficult to get a job in Nigeria for fresh graduates?
How does lack of experience affect job opportunities?
What are some skills employers expect that are not taught in school?
How can networking help you find a job faster?
Mention two ways graduates can improve their chances of employment.

6. References

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). “Unemployment and Underemployment Report, Nigeria.”
World Bank. “Youth Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa.”
International Labour Organization (ILO). “The School-to-Work Transition in Africa.”
Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (Nigeria). “Graduate Unemployment Report.”
Online resources: Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Career Insights, and Google Digital Skills for Africa.

1. Learning Outcome

2. Topic Goal

3. Introduction

Topic Content