ENHANCING GRADUATE EMPLOYABILITY IN EMERGING ECONOMIES: THE ROLE OF ICT UNIT IN NIGERIAN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

Graduate employability in emerging economies such as Nigeria remains a critical issue, with a significant number of graduates struggling to secure meaningful employment after completing their higher education. This could be because the skills acquired during higher education often do not align with the demands of the modern job market.The study assessed the role of ICT units of Nigerian higher institutions in enhancing graduate employability. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population for the study is 120 respondents comprising 100 lecturers and 20 technologists in the College of Education, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 50 respondents comprising 30 lecturers and 20 technologists for the study. A 24-item structured questionnaire validated by two experts and tested for reliability was developed for the study.A five-point Likert rating scale of Strongly Agree, Agree, Undecided, Disagree and Strongly Disagree was used. Data obtained was analysed using mean to answer research questions and t-test to test the null hypotheses at .05 level of significance. Items with mean scores of 3.50 and above were agreed while items with mean scores of 3.49 and below were not agreed. Findings of the study revealed that ICT units contribute immensely to graduate employability in Nigerian higher institutions by equipping students with essential skills for the workplace and ensuring digital skills literacy in student. The study recommended that there should be adequate provision of sufficient funding and financial support by government, corporate entities and individuals. It also recommends that there should be provision of steady electricity, modern infrastructure, equipment, higher internet connectivity as well as the recruitment of proficient technical and administrative personnel