The Vice-Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Professor Adedeji Olayinka Johnson Agboola, has announced the introduction of 50 self-paced short courses to be offered free to all students of the institution, in a bid to bridge the skills gap and improve graduate employment outcomes.
Speaking at the university’s main campus in Ago-Iwoye, Prof. Agboola, who made the disclosure while hosting the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr Ola Awakan, said the initiative is designed to ensure that OOU graduates leave not only with degree certificates but with practical, industry-relevant skills that make them competitive in the labour market.
“Our goal is to ensure students don’t just graduate with certificates, but are employable and can also become employers of labour,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
“The curriculum must meet real-world needs. These short courses will bridge gaps we have identified and give students additional credentials they can use immediately.”
The short courses, which will be rolled out in phases, will cut across technology, entrepreneurship, communication, data analytics, tourism and other high-demand fields. Students will be able to complete the programmes at their own pace alongside their regular degree requirements.
Prof. Agboola stressed that skills acquisition remains central to the university’s mandate. “If a graduate is not skilled, there is no way they can compete. We are committed to changing that,” he said.
He added that the university is aligning its training with industry expectations to produce graduates who can drive innovation and create jobs.
“We want OOU to be known not just for academic excellence, but for producing graduates who add value from day one.”
The initiative forms part of OOU’s broader strategy to reposition the institution as a hub for practical learning and enterprise development in Ogun State.
