Prioritise skill acquisition for employment, Hadiza Balarabe tells university students

Hadiza Balarabe, the deputy governor of Kaduna state, has urged Nigerian students and graduates to focus on acquiring practical skills, emotional intelligence and digital competence.

He said these attributes are increasingly valued by employers over academic certificates.

Balarabe was at a career readiness workshop held at Kaduna State University (KASU) on Thursday.

The event was organised by the university’s centre for mentorship and career development.

Balarabe said the current job market demands more than paper qualifications.

In her keynote address, titled “Life After Graduation: Navigating Challenges, Exploring Career Opportunities, and Building a Path to Success”, Balarabe highlighted the growing importance of digital literacy in the modern workplace.

“Employers are now more concerned with practical skills, teamwork, good communication, and emotional intelligence,” she said.

“In a world where Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and online collaboration are changing everything, digital competence is no longer optional. It is essential.”

The deputy governor stressed that education should go beyond acquiring degrees to fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability.

“Education opens the mind and strengthens one to think on their feet, adapt to different circumstances, and innovate,” she said.

Balarabe said many Nigerian graduates face an uncertain job market, although pointing to the health sector as an area where opportunities remain.

She referred to a statement by Bala Audu, president of the Nigerian Medical Association, who said Nigeria’s doctor-patient ratio is about 1,000 per cent below the World Health Organisation’s recommended standard of one doctor to 600 patients.

Also speaking at the event, Abdullahi Musa, KASU vice-chancellor, said the university maintains a competitive academic standard and continues to rank highly among Nigerian institutions.

Mohammed Sani Bello, the Kaduna state commissioner for education, praised the university’s efforts in career development.

He noted that the Centre for Mentorship and Career Development would play a vital role in guiding students towards successful futures.