Bankole said the widespread perception that Nigerian university graduates are unemployable does not accurately reflect their capabilities.
According to him, many Nigerian graduates who are often described as lacking the skills needed by employers are performing excellently when given opportunities to work in other countries.
He argued that the problem should not be reduced to the employability of Nigerian graduates, noting that many of them have demonstrated their competence and ability to compete successfully in international environments.
Bankole made the remarks at the graduation ceremony of the 2025 NextGen-Ideate cohort, a program organized to strengthen the capacity and skills of fresh graduates of the University of Ibadan.
The programme was designed to expose graduates to additional knowledge and competencies that can improve their preparedness for the workplace and enhance their ability to contribute meaningfully to the economy.
The professor's comments come amid ongoing discussions about graduate employability in Nigeria, particularly concerns over the gap between university education and the skills demanded by employers.
His position highlights the importance of creating opportunities for graduates to demonstrate their abilities while also strengthening programmes that equip students with practical, professional and industry-relevant skills.
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