Why Social Sciences Are Far From Obsolete: Lessons From My International Relations Studies in the UK

In a recent Facebook post, a social commentator argued that social science courses like sociology, anthropology,  political science, and international relations among others are no longer relevant in today’s labor market, emphasizing the need for tangible and technical skills to survive the 21st-century economy. This has caused ripples and elicited mixed reactions from many quarters, especially on social media platforms. While his concern about the employability of graduates including those who studied non-social science courses (my emphasis)  is valid, particularly in Nigeria's saturated labor market, dismissing the relevance of social sciences reflects a misunderstanding of their role in addressing societal needs. Because employability challenges in Nigeria transcend disciplines; even technical fields like engineering are not exempt, as evidenced by cases like the Dangote Refinery’s reliance on foreign technicians. The deeper problem here is the disconnect between the producers and the employers of labor in Nigeria.

This skills mismatch stems from a lack of robust vocational guidance especially at the formative stages of education, inadequate funding, poor coordination between government, academia, and industry, poor facilities, and poor working conditions of lecturers and other workers within the sector. For instance, Nigeria’s allocation to education has averaged about 7% of annual budgets over the past two decades, far below UNESCO’s 15-20% recommendation (Budget Office of Nigeria, 2023). These systemic issues hinder the integration of practical and interdisciplinary training across disciplines. While the importance of skill acquisition cannot be overstated, dismissing the relevance of social sciences reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of their value in addressing societal needs and shaping competent professionals.

As someone who studied International Relations at a UK university, I am compelled to debunk this narrative. My education experience not only reinforced the relevance of social sciences but also equipped me with modern, practical skills that are indispensable in today’s workforce. Having spent four years pursuing a master's degree program at a Nigerian university (unable to graduate) before proceeding to study the same course at a UK university (I will talk about it in the next post), I understand why the issue of the relevance of social sciences is raised. This post highlights how my training in International Relations and related modules proves these disciplines are far from obsolete.

Lessons from My UK education in International Relations

My studies in International Relations in the UK provided a refreshing and forward-looking approach to social sciences. For instance, in addition to core modules like peace, security, diplomacy, conflict, power,  international law, human rights, international organizations, environmental politics, and gender, etc, my curriculum included practical and interdisciplinary modules that prepared me for real-world challenges that empower students with the necessary skills to fit in any 21st-century organization (unlike the purely theoretical content taught in Nigerian Universities), this was in addition to experts from industry (professors of practice)  taking charge of the practical aspect of each course. Some of these interdisciplinary modules include:

(i) Brand communication and reputation management: This module taught us how to communicate an organization’s goals and manage its reputation within the complex ecosystem of businesses, governments, and international organizations. It emphasized handling crises effectively and maintaining public trust, which are critical skills in today’s volatile world. Whether working in a government agency,  an NGO, a multinational corporation, or running political campaigns, these competencies are indispensable.

(ii) Intercultural business competencies: With globalization, the ability to work across cultures is no longer optional, it’s a necessity. This module focused on navigating cultural differences, communicating with people across different cultures, principles of negotiation and persuasion in collectivist/ individualistic societies,  fostering mutual respect, and improving team collaboration in diverse settings. These soft skills bridge the gap between technical expertise and effective teamwork, a necessity in today's world of work.

(iii) Practical applications through research and case studies: The UK system emphasized applied learning, combining theoretical insights with practical applications. For instance, we analyzed real-world diplomatic crises and organizational challenges one such session was anchored by the UK Ministry of Defense Education Outreach Program, equipping us with a balanced perspective on theory and practice.

These and many other experiences revealed how dynamic and practical social sciences can be when integrated with modern, skill-oriented education.

The evolving Relevance of Social Sciences in a Technological and Globalized World

In the digital age, where technical expertise like coding and engineering, data analytics, etc. dominates conversations about employability, the social sciences remain indispensable for addressing the human dimensions of global and technological challenges. These fields; sociology, anthropology, political science, international relations, and others offer frameworks for understanding complex societal dynamics, fostering skills such as critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and problem-solving that are vital in any profession. Political scientists analyze governance and cyber policy impacts on democracy and security; sociologists explore social media's influence on mental health and collective behavior; and anthropologists examine how digital tools reshape cultural practices. These disciplines also enable interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that technological advancements such as artificial intelligence align with human values, addressing biases, and the surveillance economy. Moreover, they equip professionals to navigate cultural diversity and foster international cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world. The real challenge lies not in the relevance of social sciences but in modernizing their curricula to integrate practical applications and interdisciplinary approaches, thereby ensuring they continue to drive equitable, inclusive solutions.

Why Nigerian institutions lag behind

The commentator’s perspective may stem from many Nigerian universities' outdated and overly theoretical approach to social science education. In these institutions, courses often focus on abstract theories, leaving graduates ill-prepared for the workforce. The lack of emphasis on soft skills, practical training, and interdisciplinary learning creates a gap between education and employability. To address this, Nigerian universities and polytechnics must revise curricula to align with changing times and in tandem with developments in industry, this should even go deeper to include close collaboration where people from industry are involved in the design and delivery of curricula, a synergy between policymakers and our institutions so that all the incredible findings from researches will not continue to gather dust in our libraries without implementation, promote practical learning by incorporating internships, simulations, and real-world case studies into social science programs; and encourage interdisciplinary approaches by blending social sciences with technology, business, and innovation for a holistic education.

The need to modernize, not discard

Social sciences are not obsolete, they are evolving. The real challenge is to modernize these disciplines and align them with the demands of the 21st century.  Millions of Nigerians cannot all study coding, engineering, data science, and so on, we need to diversify through well-resourced and coordinated vocational and career counseling and guidance at all levels of education. My experience studying in the UK demonstrated how social sciences can remain relevant by integrating practical skills and fostering adaptability. Rather than dismissing these fields, let’s focus on reforming how they are taught, particularly in Nigeria, for the millions of graduates who have already passed through the system, there is a need to upscale and upgrade by learning new skills both offline and online through sites like Udemy, Alison, Skillcrush, TED-Ed, SuperProf, edX, etc. to navigate the 21st-century labor market. By doing so, we can have a generation of graduates who are not only skilled but also socially conscious and equipped to tackle the myriad of social problems bedeviling Nigeria and the world’s most pressing challenges.

S.B Adams writes from Gombe State

References

(1) Budget Office of Nigeria. (2023). Annual Budget Performance Reports. Retrieved from https://www.budgetoffice.gov.ng

(2) Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2019). The Future of Work: Employment Outlook. Paris: OECD Publishing.

(3) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2023). Education for Sustainable Development: Budget Allocations. Retrieved from https://www.unesco.org

(4) Williams, D. (2022). "The Importance of Interdisciplinary Education in Social Sciences." Journal of Education and Policy Studies, 34(4), 45-60.

(5) World Economic Forum. (2020). The Future of Jobs Report. Geneva: World Economic Forum.

(8) UK Ministry of Defence Education Outreach Program. (2022). Workshops and Simulations in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/mod

What’s your take? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments below. Share your thoughts and experiences—whether you agree or disagree, I’d love to hear from you!