The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has ignited fresh controversy with remarks suggesting that students pursuing social science courses may face limited job opportunities. His comments, made during an engagement with University of Abuja students, have drawn widespread backlash from academics, policy analysts, and labour experts who argue that the unemployment crisis in Nigeria is far more complex and affects graduates across all disciplines.
Speaking at the Renewed Hope Conversations, UniAbuja Edition, Alausa, a medical doctor-turned-politician, stated bluntly: "We are training you not to be job seekers but entrepreneurs. A lot of you doing social science courses, with all due respect to you, there are not going to be jobs for you in the future." He further revealed that the Nigerian government plans to discontinue certain academic programmes with limited employment prospects, aligning the education system with global standards and labour market demands. "Don't take NELFUND loan that you know will not make it. We are phasing out some of these courses," he warned.
Data Contradicts Minister's Claims
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigerians with post-secondary education recorded unemployment rates of 7.8 to 8 per cent in 2023, higher than the national average. Underemployment remains widespread, with over 90 per cent of jobs in the informal sector. Many graduates across both STEM and non-STEM fields work outside their areas of training. With over 600,000 students graduating annually, only 10 to 30 per cent secure formal employment within their first year, pointing to a structural issue of insufficient quality jobs rather than a mismatch of disciplines.
Government spending on education has increased nominally from N1.54 trillion in 2023 to N3.52 trillion in 2025, a 128.6 per cent rise. However, analysts note that capital expenditure for infrastructure fell by 18.1 per cent in 2025, weakening the foundation for producing job-ready graduates. Nigeria's education spending remains below UNESCO's recommended 15–20 per cent of the national budget.
Global and Local Demand for Social Science Skills
The World Economic Forum consistently ranks analytical thinking, communication, creativity, and problem-solving among the most in-demand skills—competencies strongly associated with social science training. In Nigeria, job platforms show growing demand for roles in consulting, development, finance, policy, media, and digital services, where social science graduates play central roles.
This is not the first time Alausa has made such remarks. At the launch of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business Incubation Certification (EIBIC) and the Student Venture Capital Grant initiative last month, he similarly discouraged students from social science disciplines. At that event, the government awarded over N2.25 billion to 45 student-led ventures, prioritising STEM and medicine, while social science and humanities students were conspicuously absent.
Experts Weigh In
Prof. Majority Oji, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Delta State University, Abraka, argued that social science graduates thrive across sectors, working alongside technical experts to translate innovation into real-world impact. "While STEM fields equip us with tools for innovation, they often fall short in elucidating how these innovations impact our societies, cultures, and political structures. They do not sufficiently tackle the ethical questions that emerge from their implementation," he said.
Michael Adaramoye 'Lenin', National Mobilisation Officer of the Education Rights Campaign, described the minister's remarks as worrisome, calling for increased investment in infrastructure and stronger policies. "Undermining disciplines like arts and social sciences is a reflection of myopic thinking. There are no useless courses. What we have is a weak economy that cannot absorb its skilled population."
Public affairs analyst Ifeanyi Nwoko dismissed the claim that social science courses are not market-relevant, noting their key roles in public policy, development, finance, and technology. He emphasised that investor confidence and community acceptance of projects depend on understanding social dynamics.
However, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) supported the minister. Its Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, who holds degrees in Political Science and Public Administration, said Alausa's comments reflect practical reality but advised caution given the weight of his office.
