Abstract
Beyond having a good degree, graduates are expected to have relevant skills and attributes required to compete and collaborate in a rapidly changing work environment. In recent times, the employability of Nutrition and Dietetics graduates in Nigeria has been of considerable concern. This study was designed to assess the readiness of trainees in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics from Nigerian Universities for career and work engagements.
 This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 109 final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students from twelve universities offering Nutrition and Dietetics programme across Nigeria. Data was collected using a semi-structured online questionnaire. Data obtained were background information on the students, their experiences and challenges in their academic pursuits, willingness and readiness to pursue and engage in Nutrition and Dietetics related jobs, as well as their perception of skills and competences for future career and work engagements. The data were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 20.0.
 About 73% of the respondents were females, mainly between ages 21 and 25 years (62.4%) and undergraduates (70%). Among the undergraduate students, 83.4% had chosen to study Nutrition and Dietetics as a result of personal interest and choice while the postgraduate trainees indicated acquisition of in-depth knowledge of nutrition (60.6%) and quest to enhance career profile for competitive advantage in job pursuits (39.4%) as the core reasons for their choice for the programme. Nearly all the respondents (96.3%) reported having enjoyed their training programs. Only half (50.5%) perceived themselves to be “very ready” and well-prepared for work and career engagement. The top three areas of interest by trainees in Nutrition and Dietetics were Clinical Nutrition and Diet Therapy (60.6%), Community and Public Health Nutrition (43.1%), and Sports Nutrition (11.0%). Three out of every ten trainees had no specific desired skills and competences. While less than half declared that they had no knowledge of the skills and competences desired by employers of nutrition graduates, two-thirds of the trainees perceived themselves as eligible for their choice of work and career.
 This study shows that most Nutrition and Dietetics trainees in Nigerian universities are ready and willing to start a career in the field. However, many lack the knowledge of expected skills and competences needed for career engagement.
Highlights
Nutrition is at the forefront of the global developmental agenda after being neglected for decades
This study shows that most Nutrition and Dietetics trainees in Nigerian universities are ready and willing to start a career in the field
Most (90%) of the undergraduate students indicated that their enrolment was a choice based on personal interest; 9% indicated that it was because they were left with no other choice of courses while only 1% based their enrolment on the influence of their parents and guardians
Summary
Nutrition is at the forefront of the global developmental agenda after being neglected for decades. The few achievements made are being hampered by the shortage in the numbers, skills, and geographical coverage of nutrition workers in these countries (Fanzo et al, 2015; Delisle et al, 2017). Activities such as the Scaling Up Nutrition initiatives, aimed at achieving national coverage of essential nutrition interventions, are constrained by the lack of human resources in nutrition in many countries (WHO, 2013).The promotion of adequate diet across age groups and optimum infant and young child feeding practices, as well as proper management of malnutrition and nutrition-related non communicable diseases, are among the tasks and responsibilities requiring professional nutritionists and dieticians
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