By: Sulaiman Aruna Sesay

Sierra Leone is a country blessed with a considerable number of universities, colleges, and higher education institutions. In short, Sierra Leone was well known as the “Athens of Africa.” However, despite the country’s significant investment in education, the rate of unemployment amongst its graduates remains a significant issue. This reality is particularly concerning given the high rate of investment in tertiary education across the country in recent years, with an increasing number of graduates entering the job market with hopes of securing their dream jobs.

In most countries, a degree, no matter what field or discipline, is a vital prerequisite for the opportunity to secure a good job. However, for Sierra Leone, a graduate’s certificate is not a guarantee of employment, particularly for those that studied humanities. Thus, most graduates from tertiary institutions find themselves in a catch-22 situation because they have little to no experience, which makes them unattractive to employers.

There are various reasons for the high unemployment rate of graduates in Sierra Leone. Let me start the ball rolling, there is a significant mismatch between the curriculum taught in universities and colleges and the skills that employers want to see in their staff members. The curriculum needs to be updated so that it can reflect current market needs. For instance, there is little emphasis on entrepreneurship and leadership skills, which means that most graduates lack the necessary skills to start their own businesses.

There is also a lack of job opportunities. Sadly, the number of new graduates released into the job market each year by institutions of higher learning far exceeds the number of available jobs. This unfortunate reality is often the case across the African continent. Most companies prefer to hire experienced employees, leaving young graduates stranded. With little to no experience, they are at a disadvantage when it comes to securing employment opportunities in the market.

Fast forward, there is a lack of diversity in job opportunities. Most graduates tend to focus on white-collar jobs such as banking, finance, and law. However, there are significant opportunities in other sectors such as agriculture, arts, and industry. Students need to be encouraged to consider other job opportunities beyond their fields of study, so they can diversify their career prospects.

The high rate of unemployment amongst graduates in Sierra Leone is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. The government needs to work with universities and companies to find solutions to this problem. Tertiary institutions must overhaul their curricula to ensure that they teach more practical and transferable skills that align with current market needs. Furthermore, companies must be encouraged to hire more graduates and create diverse job opportunities.

Graduating from college or university should not be the end of an individual’s journey in Sierra Leone. Instead, it should be the beginning of an exciting career in a bright future. Ensuring that tertiary education institutions equip students with practical knowledge and skills needed in the job market and promoting diversity in job opportunities is key to reducing the high rate of unemployed graduates in Sierra Leone.

Graduating from college or university should not be the end of an individual’s journey in Sierra Leone. Instead, it should be the beginning of an exciting career in a bright future. Ensuring that tertiary education institutions equip students with practical knowledge and skills needed in the job market and promoting diversity in job opportunities is key to reducing the high rate of unemployed graduates in Sierra Leone.