Analysis Of Career Aspirations Of Agricultural Science Graduates From Nigerian Universities

The objective of this study was to identify the career aspirations of agricultural science graduates from Nigerian Universities of Agriculture. A random sample of 215 graduating students of agriculture was selected using stratified random sampling method. Data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and the data were analysed descriptively. Results showed that the majority(55%) of the respondents studied the management aspect of agriculture. Only 23% of them desired to study agricultural science before admission into the university. In the same vein, only 25% of the respondents would want to take up a career in agriculture after five years of studying the course. While the respondents perceived agriculture as financially and professionally rewarding; they do not perceive the government and the society interested in the agricultural sector. It is therefore important for the government to invest more in rural and infrastructural development, provide enough credit facilities for agriculture graduates willing to take up agriculture as a career. Keywords: Career aspirations, agricultural science graduates, Nigerian universitiesGlobal Approaches to Extension Practice Vol. 4 (1) 2008: pp. 53-6