A Theoretical Framework for Understanding Curriculum Congruence Between Higher Education and Labour Market Demands in Nigeria

The misalignment between Nigerian higher education curriculum outputs and labour market competency demands is a persistent challenge that theoretical frameworks inadequately model, particularly in understanding the dynamic mechanisms through which congruence develops, degrades, and can be restored in the Nigerian economic context. This study developed an original theoretical framework for understanding curriculum-labour market congruence in Nigerian higher education. A multi-phase theory-building methodology was employed, drawing on systematic review of curriculum-labour market theory (72 publications from 2018 to 2024), a national employer skills demand survey of 120 organisations across six industry sectors and four geopolitical zones, graduate competency gap assessment through surveys of 200 recent graduates and 100 employers, and expert theory construction consultations with 25 curriculum, labour market, and industry specialists. The employer survey confirmed that 71.7 percent rated Nigerian higher education graduates as inadequately prepared for 21st-century workplace demands. Key competency gaps included critical thinking (rated inadequate in 74.2 percent), digital work skills (69.2 percent), communication (63.3 percent), and entrepreneurial mindset (81.7 percent). The original Curriculum-Labour Market Congruence Framework proposes three theoretical constructs: competency alignment (designed curriculum versus industry-required competencies), pedagogical realisation gap (designed versus actually taught competencies), and graduate outcome misalignment (intended versus actual graduate capabilities). Congruence restoration pathways are specified for each construct. Expert review confirmed the framework's original theoretical contribution to curriculum-industry alignment scholarship.

Keywords: curriculum congruence, labour market, higher education Nigeria, competency gap, theoretical framework