Abstract: Some employers openly favour degree holders while others undervalue Polytechnic skills despite their practical edge.
Makinde Francis
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), about 53.4 percent of Nigerian youths aged (15–24) were unemployed in 2020, one of the highest rates recorded in recent years. For many Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates, this figure is not just a number but it is the reality that greets them once school ends.
The final semester is almost over and your final year project defense is behind you. You step out of the school gates, bagging your Higher National Diploma and for the first time in years there’s no lecture to rush to, no assignments deadline and no exams to prepare for.
It’s such a liberating feeling but also a shocking one, because now, the question emerges: AFTER SCHOOL, WHAT NEXT?
For HND graduates in Nigeria, the road ahead can feel like a puzzle. There’s the excitement of finally being “done” with school, but also the weight of uncertainty, where some will head straight into the labour market, CVs in hand, hoping to land that scarce first job. Others will consider further studies maybe a Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) or conversion to a Bachelor’s degree to strengthen their career prospects.
Then, there’s the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the rite of passage many look forward to. For some, NYSC opens doors to job offers, professional connections, and new environments. For others, it’s a 12-month waiting room before the real hustle begins.
But to many students, the question has been ringing long before graduation. Adekunle Emmanuel, a final-year Mass Communication student of MAPoly, says, “this is a phrase that should display at the entrance of all final-year lecture rooms. The question, ‘After School, What Next?’ has always been ringing in my head since my HND1 days. I came to the conclusion that I should focus deeply on my business fashion designing. I started it during my Industrial Training, and I’m grateful for how far it has grown. After graduation, I plan to push it further with more PR and advertisement.”
Emmanuel’s words reflect the reality of many students who are already nurturing side hustles that will become their mainstay after school.
The reality is that the Nigerian job market can be tough on fresh graduates, and HND holders often face additional challenges. Some employers openly favour degree holders while others undervalue Polytechnic skills despite their practical edge.
It’s unfair but it’s also a reminder that the world after school demands more than that “certificate” but “what you can offer.”
Keruwole Sulaimon, Media Aide to the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Adeola Matemilola, explains that, “relying only on a certificate is not enough to secure success after graduation because many people now have certificates, and the job market is very competitive. Employers want skills, experience, creativity, and problem-solving ability. A certificate can open doors, but it won’t always keep them open. Today, success comes from combining your certificate with practical skills, networking, and continuous growth.”
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
Upgrade your skills: The diploma is your foundation, but professional certifications, short courses, and digital skills can set you apart. Whether it’s Project Management, Data Analysis, or Graphic Design, skills sell faster than titles.
Network strategically: Many opportunities never make it to job boards but are shared through relationships. Attend summits and career fairs where you can meet employers and collaborators face-to-face. Build genuine connections by engaging in conversations and staying in touch.
Plan for Growth, not just Survival: Your first job may not be your dream job and that’s okay. Focus on learning, building experience, and positioning yourself for bigger opportunities because life after school isn’t a straight road but full of choices, experiences, and lessons. You may stumble, change directions, or even start over. But each step counts towards the person you’re becoming.
So, after school, what next? The answer is simple but not easy: keep moving, keep learning, and keep building because your next chapter is just BEGINNING.
