Further studies and labour force participation: An analysis of fresh graduates' work-non work preference in Nigeria

Graduate students are highly important to the labour force in Nigeria. Every year, a large percentage of these graduates engage in the decision-making process; whether to participate in the labour force immediately after their graduation or delay their entrance into the labour market and instead pursue further studies. The expectation is that their earning potential will be raised with improved educational attainment and training. A similar expectation also holds for employment and post-employment benefits. Using a primary data set from a pool of recent graduates in Nigeria, this study employs probit and logit regression models to analyse the labour-Leisure choice of graduates in the country. The study results show that gender, education, marital status, vocational training and the age of household heads are significant determinants of labour – leisure decisions in the study area.