Samuel Adesina Okueso*, Ridwan Ademola Adekola* and Habeeb L. Owolabi**
*Dept. of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye
**Dept. of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Lagos State University of Education, Oto /Ijanikin.
Abstract
There are persistent concerns regarding the career opportunities available to student health educators upon graduation from Faculties of Education as expressed by both still on the programme and those that have graduated. This issue continues unabated, as many graduates report limited career prospects, often attributed to insufficient exposure to key health science principles. This study was conducted to examine students’ perceptions of existing career opportunities and the potential impact of introducing selected courses to enhance their career prospects. A total of 2,030 respondents were surveyed using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected electronically via Google Forms, utilising two validated instruments: the Career Opportunity Questionnaire (COQ) (reliability coefficient r = 0.88) and the Curriculum Innovation Questionnaire (CIQ) (reliability coefficient r = 0.91). The findings offer valuable insights into respondents’ perceptions of how the integration of new curricular components such as practical courses, sociology of health, essential drugs, introductory pharmacology, and expanded anatomy and physiology could improve career opportunities for graduate health educators in Nigeria. Notably, the average mean score of 3.06, which exceeded the criterion mean of 2.50, indicated a generally positive perception of curriculum enrichment as a strategy for enhancing employability and professional relevance in the contemporary job market. It was therefore concluded that the introduction of relevant new courses is essential. The study recommended a focused review and enhancement of the health education curriculum in Nigeria to better equip graduates for diverse and evolving career pathways in the 21st century.