NSUK Unveils "One Degree – One Trade – One Enterprise" Initiative to Produce Job-Ready Graduates

Nasarawa State University, Keffi, NSUK, has launched a new institutional framework aimed at redefining graduate development in Nigeria with the unveiling of the Holistic Graduate Development Initiative, HGDI.  

The initiative, anchored on the theme "One Degree – One Trade – One Enterprise", was unveiled by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa'adatu Hassan Liman, on Thursday, July 2, 2026, during a Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Meeting at the S. B. Mohammed Auditorium, School of Postgraduate Studies.  

Addressing stakeholders from government agencies, industry, professional bodies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector, Professor Liman described HGDI as a transformational response to the changing global economy and the need for universities to produce graduates who are academically sound, industry-ready, innovative, and self-reliant.  

She explained that under the initiative, every NSUK student will graduate with three core competencies: *an academic degree, a nationally recognised vocational, digital, trade, or professional certification, and enterprise development skills* to support business creation and sustainable employment.  

According to her, the programme is designed to address graduate unemployment and underemployment by producing graduates who are employable, entrepreneurial, digitally empowered, and globally competitive.  

The Vice-Chancellor said students will undergo structured competency development across high-demand sectors including digital technology, agribusiness, renewable energy, manufacturing, construction, and the creative industry. She noted that the initiative aligns with the National Skills Qualification Framework, the NUC’s Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards, national youth empowerment policies, digital economy strategies, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  

Highlighting achievements of her administration, Professor Liman cited curriculum enhancement, expanded global partnerships through Erasmus+ and collaborations across Europe and Africa, investments in ICT infrastructure and smart learning environments, and the establishment of the UNDP-supported MineTech UniPod as evidence of NSUK’s commitment to research, innovation, and enterprise development.  

She called for strategic partnerships with industry, regulators, technology companies, and financial institutions to provide certification pathways, apprenticeships, internships, mentorship, innovation laboratories, business incubation centres, and startup financing.  

Describing HGDI as “a pioneering national model,” the Vice-Chancellor said NSUK is determined to become Nigeria’s leading institution for integrated graduate development by producing graduates with academic knowledge, practical competence, and the capacity to create jobs and drive innovation.  

The engagement ended with renewed commitments from participants to collaborate with the University.  

Dignitaries present included the DG of NAPTIN, Ahmed Bolaji Nagode; ITF Lafia Area Manager, Barr. Halima Ali Muhammad; representatives of NUC, SON, SMEDAN, NITDA, CAC, Cisco, and other institutions including Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic Lafia, and College of Agriculture, Science and Technology Lafia.