A young graduate of Babcock University has voiced deep frustration on social media about his inability to secure even a basic ₦100,000-per-month job after spending over ₦10 million on a Political Science degree, sparking debate over the value of certain university courses in Nigeria.
In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), the graduate recounted that exactly one year after graduation, his degree had not translated into any job opportunity. “Today makes it one year since I graduated from Babcock University. The course I spent over ₦10 million to learn, I haven’t been able to use the certificate to get a job that pays ₦100,000,” he lamented.
According to Babcock’s official tuition schedule, Political Science attracts an annual tuition fee of approximately ₦1.2 million, with cumulative costs; tuition, accommodation, feeding, and other charges frequently reaching ₦10 million or more over four years.
In the 2024/2025 academic session, for instance, Political Science fees for first-year students stood at ₦1,212,339.70, with second through fifth level fees similarly high at over ₦788,020.81 per semester.
The Babcock graduate argued that some degree programs, especially social sciences such as Political Science, Public Administration, History & International Relations, and International Law & Diplomacy, often do not translate into high-paying job opportunities in Nigeria. He noted that only fields like Accounting, Banking & Finance, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, and Law consistently lead to well-compensated employment.
His comments have struck a chord online, with many users echoing his frustration:
“Why you sef go dey study political science for uni.”
“Nigerian employment rate is 20%, please study better courses.”
“Oga, go and learn barbing handwork.”
“If your parents can raise ₦10 million for a degree, they should raise ₦20 million for your start‑up.”
Others offered encouragement, arguing his “dream job of ₦500k/month is on its way.”
Academic analysts say the issue extends beyond Babcock. In Nigeria, private university tuition ranges broadly, from under ₦1 million per session for some courses to over ₦6 million in fields like Medicine and Surgery. Yet, investments in certain degrees may not align with employment market demand, leaving graduates without commensurate return on investment.
This case raises critical questions about the relevance of degree choice:
To what extent do course fields determine employment outcomes in Nigeria?
Are families and students sufficiently informed about labor market realities before investing heavily in private university education?
Is Nigeria’s higher education system doing enough to align academic offerings with economic needs and job availability?
Policy experts suggest stronger career guidance services, increased focus on STEM and professional programmes, and public awareness campaigns to help prospective students navigate course selection more strategically.
Babcock University, a prominent private institution operated by the Seventh‑day Adventist Church, maintains that it offers varied programmes, from Theology and Social Sciences to Engineering, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science, with academic quality guided by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
However, the graduate’s story underscores a growing disconnect between tuition investment especially in high-cost private institutions and real-life employability, prompting urgent calls for review of curriculum-to-career pathways across Nigeria’s tertiary education sector.
