The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Professor Adedeji Olayinka Johnson Agboola, has unveiled plans to introduce 50 self-paced short courses that will be offered free to all students, as part of efforts to close the skills gap and improve graduate employability.
Speaking at the university’s main campus in Ago-Iwoye while hosting the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Ola Awakan, the Vice-Chancellor explained that the initiative is aimed at ensuring students graduate with not just academic certificates but also practical, industry-relevant skills.
“Our goal is to ensure students don’t just graduate with certificates, but are employable and can also become employers of labour,” Agboola stated.
He emphasised that the university’s curriculum must align with real-world demands, noting that the short courses are designed to address identified gaps and provide students with additional qualifications they can apply immediately.
The courses, which will be introduced in phases, will cover key areas such as technology, entrepreneurship, communication, data analytics, tourism, and other in-demand fields. Students will have the flexibility to complete the programmes at their own pace alongside their regular academic work.
Agboola reiterated that skills development remains a core priority for the institution, stressing that graduates without practical skills may struggle to compete in today’s job market.
“If a graduate is not skilled, there is no way they can compete. We are committed to changing that,” he said.
He further noted that the university is actively aligning its training programmes with industry expectations to produce graduates who are innovative and capable of creating job opportunities.
“We want OOU to be known not just for academic excellence, but for producing graduates who add value from day one,” he added.
The initiative is part of the university’s broader strategy to position itself as a centre for practical learning and enterprise development, both within Ogun State and across Nigeria.
