The Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, has urged graduating students of Sule Lamido University to remain resilient, innovative, and value-driven as they navigate Nigeria’s challenging labour market.
Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony, Namadi emphasised that employability in today’s economy requires more than academic credentials, highlighting the importance of adaptability, skills development, and integrity.
“Many of you may be confronting the realities of the Nigerian labour market. However, having gone through the rigours of this institution, I am confident that your resilience, skills, and integrity will enable you to overcome obstacles and seize emerging opportunities,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of persistent unemployment pressures, with many sectors struggling to absorb the growing pool of graduates. Within an HR context, his message underscores the need for graduates to explore alternative career pathways, including entrepreneurship, skills-based work, and emerging industries.
Namadi further stressed the role of education in driving both personal advancement and national development, urging graduates to embody values such as hard work, discipline, and service.
He commended parents, guardians, and academic staff for their contributions to human capital development, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in education and skills acquisition as a strategic workforce priority.
The ceremony marked the graduation of six cohorts of students, alongside the conferment of honorary doctorate degrees on distinguished individuals.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Ibrahim, praised the state government’s continued support, noting that it has significantly improved learning conditions and strengthened academic excellence at the university.
