Bridging the gap: Graduate self-perceptions vs. employer expectations of employability skills

The study aims to establish understanding of graduates' self-assessed employability skills and the skills employers prioritize. A mixed-methods design was employed, involving surveys and interviews with 100 recent graduates and 100 hiring managers/HR professionals in South-West Nigeria. The findings reveal that while graduates feel confident in their education, they often overestimate their readiness in practical skills and workplace adaptability. Employers, on the other hand prioritize soft skills such as leadership, interpersonal, and digital skills over technical skills. The study highlights a significant mismatch between graduates' self-perceptions and employers' expectations, emphasizing the need for curriculum reform, enhanced industry collaboration, and a greater focus on practical skill development. This research contributes to the understanding of employability skills in the Nigerian context and highlights the importance of coordinated efforts among higher education institutions, employers, and policymakers to bridge the skills gap and improve graduate employability.