Exploring the Relationship Between International Business Education and Graduate Employability in Nigerian Universities

This study explores the relationship between international business education and graduate employability outcomes in Nigerian universities, examining whether curricula in international business departments align with the skills demanded by multinational corporations and internationally active Nigerian firms. As the Nigerian graduate labour market becomes increasingly competitive and globally oriented, the relevance of business school curricula to real-world international business practice is a matter of growing concern among students, employers, and academic administrators. The study adopts a descriptive survey design with data collected from two key respondent groups: 150 recent graduates of international business programmes and 50 human resource managers from multinational firms and large Nigerian companies with international operations, located across Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions are used as data collection instruments. Descriptive statistics and gap analysis comparing graduate competency profiles with employer expectations are applied. The theoretical framework draws on human capital theory and the competency-based education literature. The study assesses competency gaps in areas including cross-cultural communication, international trade finance, global supply chain management, and foreign language proficiency. Findings are expected to reveal significant misalignments between programme content and employer skill requirements, particularly in practical and digital competencies. Recommendations include curriculum reform processes that actively involve industry partners, introduction of mandatory international exchange programmes, and embedding professional certifications within international business degree programmes. Keywords: international business education, graduate employability, curriculum, Nigeria, competency gap