Assessment of the Relevance of Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum to the Chemical-Based Industries in Ondo State, Nigeria

Odutuyi Musili Olubu Ph.D

doi:10.56201/ijee.v12.no.1.2026.pg342.350

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Assessment of the Relevance of Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum to the Chemical-Based Industries in Ondo State, Nigeria

Odutuyi Musili Olubu Ph.D

Abstract

This study assessed the relevance of the undergraduate Chemistry curriculum to the requirements of chemical-based industries in Ondo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population consisted of final-year undergraduate Chemistry students and chemists working in selected chemical-based industries. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, involving two universities, one federal and one state, and six industrial sectors, namely pharmaceutical, paint, food and beverages, textile, industrial chemicals, and metallurgical industries. A total of 122 respondents participated in the study, comprising 80 students, 30 chemists, and 12 quality control/assurance officers selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using two validated instruments: The Chemistry Graduate Competency Questionnaire and the Industry Job Requirements in Chemistry Questionnaire. The instruments measured knowledge, skills, and attitudes, with reliability coefficients of 0.83 and 0.89 obtained through Cronbach’s alpha. Data were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-test. The findings showed no significant differences between industry-required knowledge and graduates’ acquired knowledge, required and acquired skills, and expected and developed attitudes. This indicates a general alignment between university training and industry expectations. The study recommends continuous curriculum review, stronger university–industry collaboration, improved SIWES, enhanced laboratory exposure, and integration of green chemistry and quality control systems. It was concluded that the undergraduate Chemistry curriculum in Nigerian universities is reasonably relevant to the needs of chemical-based industries in Ondo State, although continuous improvement is necessary to sustain its relevance in response to changing industrial and technological demands.

Keywords

Curriculum relevanceChemistry EducationIndustry requirementsGraduate competenciesEmployability.

References

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Assessment of the Relevance of Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum to the Chemical-Based Industries in Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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