A Mass Communication graduate, Moshood Folorunsho, has raised concerns over what he described as the poor state of graduate employment in Nigeria, lamenting that some graduates still earn below ₦30,000 despite the country’s economic realities.
Folorunsho made the remarks while sharing his experience following a job interview at a reputable company.
According to him, he attended the interview with high expectations after preparing thoroughly and presenting his qualifications confidently. However, after waiting several weeks without receiving any feedback, he contacted someone working in the company to inquire about the outcome.
He said he was informed that securing well-paying jobs in Nigeria is often influenced by personal connections rather than qualifications, competence or experience.
The revelation, he noted, prompted him to reflect on the challenges many qualified graduates face in the country’s labour market.
Folorunsho expressed concern that while many graduates struggle to secure decent jobs, some are still earning salaries below ₦30,000 and ₦25,000, describing such wages as inadequate in the current economic situation.
He stressed that employment opportunities should be based on merit rather than personal influence, arguing that many qualified and hardworking Nigerians are denied opportunities simply because they lack influential contacts.
According to him, a recruitment system driven by favouritism discourages excellence, undermines competence and deprives organisations of valuable talent.
Folorunsho also noted that repeated rejection despite being qualified has left many young graduates frustrated and discouraged, while economic hardship has pushed some toward negative paths.
He urged both public and private institutions to adopt transparent recruitment processes that give qualified candidates equal opportunities to compete for available positions.
The Mass Communication graduate maintained that prioritising merit in recruitment would not only reward competence but also strengthen organisations and contribute to sustainable national development.
Parts of the statement reads “A few months ago, I attended an interview at a reputable company with high hopes of securing employment. I prepared thoroughly, presented my qualifications confidently, and gave my best during the interview process. However, after weeks of waiting without any feedback, I decided to contact someone who worked in the company to inquire about the outcome.
“The response I received was both disappointing and eye-opening. I was told that in many cases, especially for highly paid positions in Nigeria, getting employed is not necessarily based on qualifications, competence, or experience, but largely on connections and who one knows.
“That statement enough left me reflecting on the realities many hardworking graduates face today. Still, some graduates still earn below #30,000 and #25,000 which is not even enough in this trying economy.
“Employment opportunities should not depend solely on personal connections. Across the country, there are countless qualified, skilled, and hardworking individuals who possess the competence needed to excel in various roles. Unfortunately, many are denied opportunities simply because they lack influential contacts. This system undermines merit, discourages excellence, and promotes favoritism over competence.
“A fair society is one where hard work, dedication, character, and qualifications are valued above personal influence. Every individual deserves an equal opportunity to compete, contribute, and succeed based on merit. When competent people are overlooked, organizations lose valuable talent, while frustration and unemployment continue to grow in our society.
“Many young graduates become discouraged after repeated rejections despite being qualified. Some lose hope, while others are pushed toward negative paths due to economic hardship. This should not be the reality of a nation blessed with abundant human resources.
“Nigeria as a nation can do better by creating transparent recruitment systems that prioritize competence and merit. Both public and private institutions must ensure that opportunities are accessible to all qualified candidates.
“When merit becomes the standard, organizations will thrive, talents will be rewarded, and the nation will move closer to sustainable development and social justice.”.
