“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Abigail Gyang, a 300-level political science student at the University of Jos, mused thoughtfully.
“We learn about government, diplomacy, and policies, but we don’t step out into the real world to see how it actually works. It’s like being trained for a race we’re never allowed to run.”
Her words resonate deeply among her peers, striking at the heart of a growing concern in the Department of Political Science at UniJos. Despite its legacy of academic excellence, the department is facing criticism for failing to equip students with the practical skills needed to thrive in the professional world.
For decades, the University of Jos Political Science Department has been celebrated as one of Nigeria’s premier institutions in the field. Founded in 1979 at the Gangare campus, the department has cultivated leaders and thinkers who have gone on to excel in public administration, international relations, academia, and beyond. From the tenure of its first Head of Department, Dr. R. J. Packs, whose vision was steeped in critical research, to the current leadership of Professor Adeyi Ezekiel Major, the department has consistently maintained its reputation as a breeding ground for intellectual excellence. However, amidst this legacy lies a glaring omission.
The absence of an industrial training (IT) program.
Industrial training programs serve as a vital bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world application. For disciplines like engineering and medicine, such training provides invaluable exposure to the practical aspects of their fields. Yet, for students in UniJos Political Science Department, the opportunity to gain such hands-on experience is nonexistent. This gap has left many students feeling disillusioned.
“Political science is practical,” explained Tengwong Yohanna Thomas, a 400-level student. “We study how leaders interact with societies, how policies shape lives, and how systems of power rise and fall. Yet, we’re limited to theory. Our friends in other universities have industrial training programs. They’re gaining confidence while we’re just reading about what they’re doing.”
The Department has instead relied on research projects to provide students with real-world exposure. These projects often involve grassroots governance studies, voter education surveys, and policy analysis. While valuable, they lack the depth and practicality of internships or IT placements, where students could observe and participate in the inner workings of government agencies, NGOs, or international organizations.
Jessica Nzube, a 300-level student, highlighted the competitive disadvantage this creates in the job market.
“Graduates from other universities with IT experience have a head start. They understand the culture, systems, and expectations of these organizations. We’re left playing catch-up.”
The absence of an IT program in the department is partly intentional. According to Professor Adeyi Major, political science as a discipline evolved from sociology and remains a largely academic and theoretical field.
“Unlike engineering or medicine, where internships are straightforward, political science is broad and abstract. Our focus is on critical research and theoretical understanding, which is harder to translate into short-term industrial training placements.”
This explanation, however, has done little to suppress the frustrations of students like Abigail.
“We’re not asking for miracles. We just want the department to listen. If they can find ways to make internships possible, even for a fraction of students, it would mean the world to us.”
The growing demand for experiential learning in political science education is not unique to UniJos. Globally, political science programs are evolving to incorporate hands-on experiences such as internships, Model United Nations conferences, public policy simulations, and collaborations with think tanks. These activities allow students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, fostering skills that employers increasingly value. The competitive job market has intensified the need for practical experience.
Employers today prioritize graduates who are not only well-versed in theory but also adept at navigating real-world challenges. For UniJos’ political science students, the lack of IT opportunities could mean being overlooked for roles in government, diplomacy, and the non-profit sector.
Alamin Ahmed, a final-year student, voiced this concern: “We study these institutions in theory but never interact with them directly. Other graduates who have done internships know the systems, the culture, and the language of these organizations. We’re left catching up, and it’s frustrating.”
Jessica echoed this sentiment, adding that the disparity between departments within UniJos further highlights the issue.
“Engineering, natural sciences, and even some social science departments have IT embedded in their curriculum. They graduate with both theoretical and practical knowledge, while we leave with only half the picture.”
Despite the challenges, there is hope for reform. Recognizing the need for modernization, the department’s leadership has begun exploring ways to make the curriculum more hands-on. Study tours, policy simulations, and partnerships with government agencies are among the ideas being discussed.
Professor Major acknowledged the need for change: “The world is changing. Our goal has always been to train leaders for tomorrow, but to do that, we must adapt. We’re actively exploring options to incorporate experiential learning into our program.”
These proposed reforms align with global trends in political science education, where experiential learning is increasingly emphasized. However, the question remains: will these initiatives move from the planning stage to implementation in time to benefit current students?
UniJos Political Science Department finds itself at a crossroads. On one hand, it stands as a beacon of academic excellence. On the other, its reluctance or inability to embrace internships risks alienating its students and undermining their professional prospects.
For students like Abigail, Tengwong, and Jessica, the call for reform is urgent. The department has an opportunity to redefine its legacy by integrating practical experiences into its curriculum, ensuring that its graduates are not only academically prepared but also field-tested and ready to lead.
Report and Photos by Happiness Felix (Political Science Correspondent) (5/5)
Edited by Isama Anyaole Peace