Public Administration Education and Career Readiness Among ESUT Graduates in Enugu State

The alignment between public administration education and the practical competency requirements of the modern public service is a subject of growing importance in Nigerian higher education discourse. This study assesses the extent to which public administration education at Enugu State University of Science and Technology prepares graduates for career demands in the public sector, civil society, and development organisations. The study is grounded in Human Capital Theory, which holds that education and training are investments that enhance individual productivity and employability by equipping learners with knowledge, skills, and competencies demanded by labour markets. A survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised recent public administration graduates, serving public sector employees with ESUT backgrounds, and faculty members, from which 230 respondents were drawn through purposive and systematic sampling. Structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to gather data, which were analysed using frequency tables and regression analysis. Findings indicate that graduates rate their conceptual knowledge highly but express deficiencies in practical skills such as policy analysis, project management, and ICT application. Employers corroborated these gaps, noting the need for more work-ready graduates with stronger analytical and digital competencies. The study concludes that the public administration curriculum requires revision to better integrate applied learning, internship components, and technology-driven skill modules. It is recommended that the department introduce a mandatory semester-long public sector internship and update course content to reflect contemporary governance challenges.

Keywords: Public Administration Education, Career Readiness, Graduate Employability, Curriculum, ESUT