University of Ibadan career fair urges graduates to develop workplace skills

The University of Ibadan held its annual career fair on Thursday at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan. The event, organised with global ed‑tech provider Astria Learning, gathered university officials, recruiters, ed‑tech leaders and students from all faculties.

Prof Peter Olapegba, the university’s Vice‑Chancellor, opened the fair with a call for students to move beyond certificates. He urged graduates to develop workplace competencies, soft skills, emotional intelligence and professional confidence. He also asked students from the main campus, the College of Medicine at University College Hospital and affiliated institutions to improve problem‑solving, creative thinking and work ethic.

Prof K. O. Adebowale encouraged undergraduates to make the most of the industry exposure the fair provides. Deputy Vice‑Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Prof Simisola Oluwatoyin Akintola highlighted the digital divide as a barrier to graduate empowerment and stressed the need to link research and talent with industry.

Dr Oluchi Maduka, the fair’s Convener, said the programme was shaped by student feedback and will continue with masterclasses and skill workshops into early 2027. Astria Learning’s Founder and CEO Dr Jeff Bordes warned that Nigerian graduates now compete on a borderless global stage.