14,015 fresh graduates storm Nigeria's unemployment-ridden labor market

No fewer than 14,015 new graduates have emerged at the 44th convocation ceremony of the University of Nigeria (UNN) held last Friday.

The graduates were awarded Bachelor degrees at an elaborate ceremony which took place at the Margaret Ekpo Convocation Arena of the institution's Nsukka campus.

The graduates will now join the teeming Nigerian youths scouring the streets of Nigeria in search of the dream careers which led them into the walls of the university in the first place.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, captured the scenario in his address, aptly describing the number of graduates as an "avalanche", as quoted in a report.

“As an important part of its mission, the University of Nigeria is graduating an avalanche of candidates who have worked very hard to change their status, thereby deserving the degree of this institution," Ozumba said.

Professor Ozumba revealed that, out of the 14,015 first degree graduates, made up 85 graduated with First Class honors; 3,717 had Second Class honors Upper Division; 7,275 earned Second Class honors Lower Division; a further 2,294 third class honors while 227 were in the Pass category.

The alarmingly high rate of unemployment in Nigeria is no more news.

What is news however is that universities, like UNN, are churning out more graduates in their thousands every year.

This may seem like progress, but the sheer number of yearly graduate output, never minding the quality, is cause for concern.

"The number is quite unprecedented," Ozumba said of his 14,015 graduates.

If the graduates must find their feet, then they must heed the words of their colleague, the Overall Best Graduating Student of the institution, Nkiruka Ozioma Ibeanu.

Nkiruka, who graduated with an impressive 4.88 CGPA, told her colleagues to be ready for the journey ahead.

“As you enter the next phase of your life, expect challenges to come. Although challenges are inevitable, you must not compromise your values in order to fit the expectations of the world," she said.

Indeed, they must be ready, especially as Nigeria heads to the polls and a possible change in government.