Causes of Poor Field Performance Among Civil Engineering Graduates in the Nigerian Niger Delta Region

Abstract

Graduate unemployment in Nigeria remains a pressing socio-economic issue, highlighting a persistent gap between academic preparation and practical competencies demanded by the labour market. This study investigated the factors influencing the field performance of civil engineering graduates in the Niger Delta region, emphasizing educators' experience, the absence of practical training, the non-use of instructional materials, and workshop practice. Employing a descriptive survey design, the study targeted 507 civil engineering graduate applicants who participated in recruitment interviews between 2023 and 2024, from which a sample of 100 graduates was drawn using simple random sampling. Data were collected using the Civil Graduates Performance Questionnaire (CGPQ) and analyzed using mean scores, standard deviations, and independent t-tests at the 0.05 significance level. Results indicated that limited practical exposure, insufficient educator experience, non-utilization of instructional materials, and inadequate workshop practice collectively contributed to poor field performance. No significant differences were observed between university and polytechnic graduates on these factors. The study underscores the urgent need for curriculum reform to integrate practical and technological skills into civil engineering programmes, enhancing graduate employability, professional competence, and readiness to address real-world infrastructural challenges. Findings offer actionable insights for educators, curriculum planners, and policymakers seeking to strengthen engineering education and bridge the gap between theoretical instruction and industry requirements.