Career Service Centers: A TETFUND-Driven Catalyst for Graduate Employability in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, Yobe State in Focus

Career Service Centers: A TETFUND-Driven Catalyst for Graduate Employability in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions, Yobe State in Focus

…the raison d’etre for establishment of Career service Centres is for the development of students’ careers and their employability

Nigeria’s burgeoning tertiary education sector faces a critical challenge: bridging the gap between academic achievement and successful employment.  The high rate of graduate unemployment necessitates innovative solutions, and in this context, Career Service Centers (CSCs) are emerging as vital instruments for equipping students with the necessary skills and resources to thrive in the competitive job market.  The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), under the visionary leadership of its Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, has recognized this need and made significant strides in establishing and supporting CSCs across Nigerian tertiary institutions.  This article examines the importance and benefits of these centers, highlighting TETFUND’s crucial role and the impactful leadership driving this transformative initiative.

By Hannatu Lot

The Indispensable Role of Career Service Centers

CSCs are dedicated units within tertiary institutions providing comprehensive career support to students and alumni with career planning, skill development, and job searching. These centers are funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and aim to bridge the gap between academia and the job market by providing resources, guidance, and support.  Their multifaceted approach encompasses several key services:

The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono at a workshop on “Emerging Areas of Students Needs in Beneficiary Institutions” said the Fund considers the establishment of these centers necessary for the development of student’s careers and their employability, which is the raison d’etre for establishment of tertiary educational institutions.

According to him, Career Services Centers have helped students in advanced nations to make informed decisions regarding their career paths, hence the need to replicate these centers in Nigeria to provide counselling, guidance, and support to all students as well as give them tools for self-assessment to further support them to identify their interests, strengths, weaknesses and prospects.
“Career centers help to organize and facilitate education programs, workshops, seminars, and other similar programs to equip students with relevant employability skills to assist them search for jobs. They provide transition resources by supporting resume building, application processes and interview preparation”.

He maintained that it is in consideration of the significant role that career centers play in the career development of students of tertiary education that the Fund took the decision to incorporate it in the 2024 disbursement guidelines.

Career Counseling and Guidance: Personalized counselling helps students identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths, fostering informed decision-making rather than relying on chance or outdated assumptions.

Speaking in an interview with VMT NEWS, the Director Career Service Centre Yobe State University Damaturu, Dr. Usman Sambo said, ”Career Services Centres, are mainly on Career path and so we have experts in all the Departments that can give career talks or career counseling to students in need.” 

Also Dr. Zainab Ibrahim Ciroma, Director, Career Service Centre, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu stated, ” the Career Service Center was established for 2 main reasons to create employability of graduates at the same time to train the students in skills, which will help them to be self-sufficient.”

Employability Skills Training: Workshops, seminars, and training programs equip students with essential skills like resume writing, interview techniques, communication, and teamwork – crucial for navigating the modern job market therefore, the CSCs in our tertiary Institutions are designed to bridge these gaps.

Director, Career Service Centre, Dr. Zainab, Federal Polytechnic Damaturu stated in an interview with VMT NEWS, ”we will do a 1day workshop for the ND 2 students and the HND2 Students, they will be taught how to write CVs and how to appear for interviews. They would be taught how to answer questions, develop their sense of, um, confidence at the same time, we also teach them how to be self-reliance”

”we give them tips on what they can do and train them especially, in the field of hand work, uh, tailoring, water pumping, or farming, you know, things that you can use your hands to do without relying on government.’

Job Search Support: CSCs provide invaluable assistance with job applications, connecting students with potential employers through networking events, job fairs, and online platforms.

”Presently. The university is in partnership with some other organizations, like the IMAC, which is a non-governmental Organization which provides internship for students.”

”So we do connect with the center for humanitarian studies where the IMAC is partnering, so they normally give internship slots to our students and our students take part and they really enjoyed and benefited from those internships that is on the part of the internship and then we also have uh, PPP offices, private partnership offices, we had a discussion with them that our students will be connected to some of these uh, companies  and then so that they will know where to fit in and if there are opportunities for them to go and contribute we will not hesitate to send some.” Said, Dr. Usman

Self-Assessment and Career Exploration: Tools and resources enable students to objectively assess their skills and explore various career options, leading to more realistic and achievable goals.

Bridging the Academia-Industry Divide: CSCs facilitate interaction between students, faculty, and industry professionals, exposing students to real-world scenarios and providing valuable mentorship opportunities. Both Yobe State University and Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu have facilitate between their students and the modern job market by counseling, directing and preparing them for the after-school life.

Entrepreneurship Support:  For students with entrepreneurial aspirations, CSCs provide guidance and resources for starting and developing their own businesses after training them in a particular skills of their choice while in school.

The Transformative Impact of CSCs:

The impact of well-functioning CSCs is far-reaching:

Improved Employability:  By equipping graduates with relevant skills and connecting them with potential employers, CSCs significantly increase their employability.

Informed Career Choices: Students are empowered to make informed career decisions aligned with their abilities and aspirations, reducing the risk of career dissatisfaction and unemployment.

Reduced Unemployment:  By directly addressing the skills gap and improving job readiness, CSCs contribute to reducing the high rate of graduate unemployment in Nigeria.

Economic Development:  Increased graduate employability directly contributes to Nigeria’s economic growth by fostering a skilled and productive workforce.

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TETFUND: A Catalyst for Change

The establishment and success of CSCs in Nigeria are inextricably linked to the pivotal role of TETFUND.  By incorporating CSCs into its 2024 disbursement cycle, TETFUND has demonstrated a commitment to addressing a critical need within the tertiary education system. 

This proactive approach reflects the Fund’s understanding that a robust education system must extend beyond academic learning to encompass career development and employability.

Arc. Sonny Echono’s Visionary Leadership:

Arc. Sonny Echono’s leadership as Executive Secretary of TETFUND has been instrumental in driving this initiative. His emphasis on addressing emerging student needs, including career development and the enhancement of the teaching profession (through improved teaching practice interventions), showcases a forward-thinking approach to education reform. 

His commitment to integrating technology through initiatives like the Tertiary Education Research, Application, and Services platform (TERAS) further demonstrates a commitment to preparing students for a digitally driven world.

‘’The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, right from his appointment, you will notice that he is a policy maker, he is someone that is focus and strategic in his operations considering his background and experiences.’’

‘’There are a lot of modifications and innovations that TETFund is receiving. He has introduced a lot of programs that gave opportunity to Heads of Beneficiary Institutions, inviting them for a meeting, for discussions, just to see the possibility of having collaborations with the Institutions.’’

‘’So, he has done a lot in Innovating and Introducing new line of interventions, he has simplified many things for the Heads of Beneficiary Institutions. We really appreciate him and we are hoping that he will still introduce more policies that will ease the difficulty that the Institution and the Country is passing through but he is doing well, everyone appreciate him. Said Ag Vice Chancellor, Yobe State University Damaturu, Prof. Jamri Bukar.

Prof. Ibrahim Bello Bashir, Rector Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, has this to say about Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, ‘’Sonny Echono is an Administrator per excellence, our path crossed when I was in NBTE, I have known him when he was Permanent Secretary, I see an intelligent person in him very intelligent and very easy going. ‘’

‘’You can walk into his office any time, any day and he will seat you down, listen to you and proffer solutions even before you leave his office you will begin to see solutions to your problem. He is an Administrator per excellence and very, very intelligent person, we admire him very well, very, very well.’’

Yobe State In Focus

Yobe State’s educational landscape is undergoing a transformation, fueled by significant investments and strategic initiatives. The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) plays a pivotal role, supporting the development of crucial infrastructure and programs within tertiary institutions like Yobe State University and the Federal Polytechnic Damaturu. 

A key intervention is the establishment of Career Service Centers (CSCs), which are designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the demands of the job market. These centers, funded by TETFUND, offer comprehensive career guidance, employability skills training (including workshops on CV writing and interview techniques), job search support, and entrepreneurship guidance, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in a competitive environment. 

The testimonies of Dr. Usman Sambo and Dr. Zainab Ibrahim Ciroma, directors of the CSCs at Yobe State University and Federal Polytechnic Damaturu respectively, highlight the centers’ positive impact on student employability and self-reliance.

The success of these CSCs is directly linked to TETFUND’s proactive approach, as evidenced by their inclusion in the 2024 disbursement cycle. This forward-thinking strategy reflects the leadership of Arc. Sonny Echono, Executive Secretary of TETFUND, who has championed initiatives aimed at addressing emerging student needs and preparing them for a digitally driven world. 

The collaborative efforts between TETFUND, the state government under Governor Mai Mala Buni, and the leadership of the universities and polytechnics have been instrumental in realizing this vision.  While challenges remain, such as ensuring adequate staffing and resource allocation for CSCs, the progress made in Yobe State demonstrates the transformative potential of targeted investments in career development.

Success Stories and Challenges:

The establishment of CSCs is already yielding positive results in institutions such as the Yobe State University Damaturu. Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku, Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, and Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

However, challenges remain, including adequate staffing, resource allocation, and the need for ongoing training and development for CSC staff.  Interviews with directors of CSCs in Yobe State University and Federal Polytechnic Damaturu highlight both the successes and the ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges.

Conclusion:

Career Service Centers are essential components of a comprehensive tertiary education system in Nigeria.  TETFUND’s investment in these Centers, guided by the astute leadership of Arc. Sonny Echono, represents a significant step towards addressing graduate unemployment and fostering economic growth.

By empowering students with the skills and resources they need to succeed, CSCs are proving to be invaluable assets in preparing Nigeria’s future workforce for the challenges and opportunities of the globalized economy. 

Continued investment, support, and collaboration between TETFUND, institutions, and industry stakeholders are crucial for ensuring the long-term success and maximal impact of these vital Centers.