Curriculum Relevance and Graduate Employability in Home Economics Programmes in Nigerian Universities

This study assesses the relevance of the Home Economics curriculum in Nigerian universities to graduate employability across key sectors including food services, fashion, health, and hospitality. Curriculum-industry alignment is central to producing graduates who are work-ready and capable of contributing meaningfully to Nigeria's economy. The study adopts a descriptive survey design, targeting Home Economics graduates from universities in the South West, South East, and North Central zones who graduated within the past five years. Data were collected from 260 graduates and 80 employers using separate structured questionnaires. Objectives include evaluating graduates' perceptions of their curriculum preparation, assessing employers' satisfaction with graduate competencies, and identifying specific curriculum components requiring updating or expansion. Recent literature documents a persistent gap between Nigeria's university Home Economics curricula and the technical and entrepreneurial competencies demanded by contemporary employers in food, fashion, and health sectors. Data were analysed using mean scores, gap analysis, and factor analysis. The Human Capital Theory frames the study by linking educational investment to labour market outcomes. Findings are anticipated to reveal significant employer dissatisfaction with graduates' practical and enterprise skills relative to theoretical knowledge. Recommendations address the National Universities Commission, university Home Economics departments, and industry associations to collaborate in curriculum review and practicum development. Keywords: curriculum relevance, graduate employability, Home Economics, university education, Nigeria.