The National Universities Commission (NUC) has made a significant move to equip Nigerian graduates with skills that will make them competitive in the global job market. The commission has announced plans to expand academic programmes in emerging fields such as energy science and data science. This move is aimed at preparing Nigerian graduates for the evolving global energy landscape and digital economy.

The NUC executive secretary, Abdullahi Ribadu, made this known at a recent event in Kaduna. According to him, the commission has also developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy for tertiary institutions. The policy aims to integrate AI into teaching, research, and institutional operations.

The NUC boss has reiterated the commission's commitment to innovation, curriculum relevance, and the global competitiveness of Nigerian graduates. He commended the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) for its investment in human capital development.

The PTDF has collaborated with the NUC to develop high-level manpower for Nigeria's petroleum and energy sector. The two organisations are committed to developing quality human capital for national growth.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The NUC's move to expand programmes in energy science and data science is a step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen whether this will translate to better job prospects for Nigerian graduates. The country's unemployment rate remains a major concern, and it is crucial that the NUC's efforts lead to tangible improvements in the job market. The NUC's collaboration with the PTDF is a welcome development, but it is essential that these partnerships lead to sustainable capacity building in the country. The recent approval for the College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna (CPESK) to operate as a private university reflects efforts to build capacity in line with global best practices. However, it is crucial that this move does not lead to a further widening of the gap between the haves and have-nots in the education sector.