Fresh controversy has trailed remarks by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, that students pursuing social science courses may face bleak job prospects.
The minister’s comments, during an engagement with University of Abuja students, have sparked widespread backlash from academics, policy analysts and labour experts, who said that the assertion oversimplifies a far more complex employment crisis rooted in structural economic weaknesses.
Alausa, a medical doctor-turned-politician, while speaking at the Renewed Hope Conversations, UNIABUJA edition, stated that students pursuing social science courses may face limited job opportunities.
“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 said.
The minister further said that the Nigerian government had finalised plans to discontinue certain academic programmes with limited employment prospects.
According to him, the decision forms part of a broader effort to align the country’s education system with current global standards, labour market demands and emerging areas of innovation.
He explained that programmes considered outdated to national development goals would be replaced with disciplines that can better equip students with practical skills for today’s economy.
Also, he stated that underemployment remains widespread, while over 90 per cent of jobs are in the informal sector, as many graduates across both STEM and non-STEM fields are either underutilised or working outside their areas of training.
However, Alausa’s remark has reignited debate over the direction of Nigeria’s education policy, particularly amid concerns about the mismatch between university curricula and labour market demands.
Analysts noted that while enrolment in Nigerian universities remains heavily skewed toward social sciences and management courses, this trend is often driven by limited capacity in STEM programmes rather than a lack of interest.
In a chat with The Guardian, industry stakeholders contended that rather than dismissing entire fields of study, the minister should focus on strengthening the linkage between education and industry, improving curriculum relevance, and expanding opportunities for graduates across sectors.
They warned that statements from top policymakers could discourage prospective students and deepen existing biases against non-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Delta State University, Abraka, Prof. Majority Oji, speaking on the issue, emphasised that the future of work increasingly favours individuals with critical thinking, adaptability, and strong communication skills.
Oji noted that social science graduates continue to thrive across sectors, often working alongside technical experts to translate innovation into real-world impact.
He said that while STEM fields drive technological advancement, they do not sufficiently address the societal, ethical, and policy implications of such innovations.
Also speaking, the National Mobilisation Officer, Education Rights Campaign, Michael Adaramoye ‘Lenin’, described the minister’s remark as worrisome, noting that it raises concerns about the inclusiveness of education policy.
Adaramoye said that the real challenge lies not in the choice of discipline but in the lack of an enabling environment for graduates across fields.
He, therefore, called for increased investment in infrastructure, stronger institutional frameworks and policies that support innovation and professional growth.
Similarly, public affairs analyst, Ifeanyi Nwoko, dismissed the claim that social science courses are not ‘market relevant,’ describing it as a hasty generalisation.
He noted that social science graduates play key roles in sectors like public policy, development, finance, and technology, particularly in areas like market analysis, user research, and regulatory compliance.
According to him, in the context of economic development and public-private partnerships, social sciences remain indispensable, as investors’ confidence, stakeholders’ engagement, and community acceptance of projects depend largely on understanding social dynamics.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has thrown its weight behind the minister as the association’s Public Relations Officer, Samson Adeyemi, contended that social science courses are often perceived as less rigorous compared to STEM fields.
Adeyemi, who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as Ph.D. in Political Science and Public Administration, stated that the minister’s comments reflect a practical reality rather than an act of discrimination.
He, however, advised the minister to exercise greater caution in his statements, given the weight and influence of his office.
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