Kaigama Raises Alarm Over Soaring Graduate Unemployment in Nigeria

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s escalating graduate unemployment, warning that the nation risks losing the potential of millions of young people if urgent steps are not taken.

Speaking at the 13th Convocation Ceremony of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Kaigama described the situation as heartbreaking, noting that the number of jobless graduates continues to grow.

“I am pained to see scores of young, talented and dynamic graduates roaming aimlessly on the streets. Every day, they come to me with their CVs, looking for what to do with the knowledge they struggled so hard to acquire,” he lamented.

He recalled similar encounters in Jos and Abuja, observing a troubling rise in the number of youths desperately seeking employment—many believing that jobs can only be secured through influential connections.

Kaigama emphasised that the responsibility for job creation rests primarily on government and the private sector, not religious leaders. He criticised the widespread assumption that clergy can easily influence recruitment decisions.

According to him, the growing unemployment crisis threatens national stability, as disillusioned young people become more susceptible to criminal activities, substance abuse and mental health issues.

The Archbishop urged graduates to uphold strong moral values and channel their education toward the advancement of society.

Kaigama also commended Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for investing in youth-focused projects, including the construction of smart schools and a high-tech security Command and Control Centre, describing the initiatives as practical steps that could offer meaningful engagement for young people.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Prof. Christian Anieke, revealed that 660 students graduated at the ceremony, including 22 First Class students. The overall best graduating student achieved a CGPA of 5.96.

He highlighted the institution’s rapid expansion from 215 students at inception to over 5,000 across 87 accredited programmes, and noted the growth of its medical college, teaching hospital, Africa-leading DNA Learning Centre and global alumni network.

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