RESHAPING HIGHER EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYABILITY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CHINA AND NIGERIA'S STRATEGIES
Keywords:
education sector, economic growth, skills mismatch, vocational education, higher educationAbstract
The education sector plays a pivotal role in the economic growth and development of nations by
enhancing human capital, fostering entrepreneurship, and driving technological advancements. To support the
evolving education landscape, governments globally allocate substantial budgets for educational development.
Approximately USD 4.7 trillion is expended annually by governments and households on education, underlining
its paramount significance (UNESCO, 2018). Despite efforts to expand educational systems and implement
reforms, several nations face a critical challenge of skills mismatch, particularly among university graduates. This
disconnect between skills supply and demand has far-reaching implications for policy makers and educational
institutions (Muhammad, 2020; Patin Olayomi & Adedeji, 2012; Nasharsh, 2015).
In response to the escalating issue of skills mismatch and the subsequent rise in graduate unemployment, interest
has surged in vocational education systems. Advocates argue that these systems, offering distinct educational
focuses from traditional universities, are better poised to address employers' skill requirements. This concept is
exemplified by China's distinctive policy reform, which prioritized vocational education to align the labor force
with the evolving demands of its economy (Jiqiu, 2016).
This article undertakes a conceptual analysis of higher education in Nigeria and China, with a particular focus on
discerning lessons Nigeria could draw from the Chinese education system. Nigeria currently emphasizes the
expansion of university infrastructure across the nation. Given the mounting challenge of skills mismatch
impeding graduate employability, this pursuit merits a comprehensive examination. The paper delves into the
state of higher education in both countries, considering strategies and policies that have been deployed. It
scrutinizes China's innovative approach to vocational education and how it contributes to addressing skills
mismatch and graduate employability. Through this comparative analysis, the article aims to offer insights into
potential improvements for Nigeria's higher education landscape, taking into account the Chinese experience.
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doi:10.1007/978-981-287-532-7_598-1
