After Spending ₦10M and 4 Years at Babcock University, Graduate Questions Value of Nigerian Private Universities [VIDEO]

 

It’s a sobering reminder of the disconnect between Nigeria’s higher education system and its struggling job market. A Nigerian man has taken to social media to express his deep frustration and helplessness after spending four years and over ₦10 million studying at Babcock University, only to find himself jobless after graduation.

His story is one that resonates with thousands of young Nigerians who invest heavily in private education with the hope of a better future. Yet, for many, the journey ends not with a career but with confusion and questions.

The graduate, whose name was withheld for privacy, detailed how his parents worked tirelessly and sacrificed so much to afford his education at the prestigious Babcock University, a private institution known for its elite status, strong academic programs, and hefty tuition fees. He studied diligently, participated in extracurricular activities, and graduated with high hopes. Today, however, he sits at home, CV in hand, with no job and no clear path forward.

"Four years gone, ₦10 million spent, and now I am just sitting at home waiting for a miracle," he wrote in a heartfelt social media post that quickly went viral. "My parents gave everything. I gave everything. I thought this school would set me up for life. But now I feel like I was sold a dream."

Babcock University is one of Nigeria’s most expensive private universities. The promise attached to such an investment is that students will graduate into well-paying, stable jobs, especially in fields like accounting, law, business, and computer science. The reality, however, is much bleaker for many alumni.

Many Nigerians believe private universities offer more structured academic calendars and better infrastructure compared to public universities, where academic strikes and underfunding often derail students’ educational journeys. For this reason, families stretch their finances to send children to institutions like Babcock, believing it will offer a more direct route to success. That belief is now being tested.

Unemployment among graduates in Nigeria has steadily risen over the years. The National Bureau of Statistics reported that youth unemployment and underemployment combined reached over 50% in recent years. Graduates, even from top-tier schools, are finding it increasingly difficult to secure meaningful employment. The country's economic instability, lack of industrial growth, and underdeveloped private sector continue to hamper job creation.

For this young man, the situation is made worse by the social expectations that come with attending a high-cost private university. Friends and extended family assumed he would be a success story by now. Instead, he finds himself constantly having to explain why he is still unemployed.

"I see my classmates also struggling, even those who did master’s degrees abroad. It's not just me. Something is fundamentally wrong with our system. We paid for a future that doesn't exist," he said.

His story has sparked debate online, with many users expressing sympathy while others challenge the notion that a private university guarantees employment. Some argue that the Nigerian education system, regardless of the institution, does not adequately prepare students for the realities of the modern job market. There are also complaints that too much emphasis is placed on degrees and too little on practical skills and entrepreneurship.

Others criticize employers for their unrealistic expectations. Entry-level job postings often demand several years of experience and specialized knowledge that fresh graduates rarely possess. This paradox leaves many feeling hopeless and forgotten.

While Babcock University itself has not issued any statement regarding the viral post, the larger issue remains: thousands of well-educated, highly motivated young Nigerians are being let down by a system that fails to bridge education and opportunity.

Some online commentators suggested that graduates begin to pivot toward entrepreneurship or vocational skills, given the lack of traditional jobs. However, even that solution is not without its challenges, as startup capital and supportive infrastructure are often missing.

What becomes of a society where millions of young people invest so much in education, only to find themselves stuck? The consequences are already visible: rising frustration, increasing migration, and growing disillusionment with the promise of upward mobility through formal education.

The graduate’s lament may have been deeply personal, but it has struck a nerve across Nigeria. His voice echoes a generation’s discontent. Whether the government, universities, and private sector leaders are listening is another matter entirely.