This study investigated the impact of skill acquisition programs on employment rates among Nigerian graduates. Using graduates from the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of Benin as a case study, 150 respondents who graduated between the 2017/2018 and 2022/2023 academic sessions were randomly selected to determine their current employment status and whether they needed or acquired additional skills beyond their academic degrees to secure employment. A structured questionnaire created through Google Docs was administered via WhatsApp and email. The data was analysed using frequency distribution, mean scores, Pearson chi-square goodness of fit, and Pearson correlation at a 95% confidence level. Results showed that out of 120 respondents who completed the questionnaires, 78 of them (65%) were self-employed, 20 of them (17%) were on paid employment, while 22 respondents (18%) were unemployed. Out of the 22 unemployed respondents, 12 of them (10%) claimed they had no additional skills besides their degrees, while 10 of them (8%) said they were undergoing apprenticeship/skills acquisition programmes. Statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation between skill acquisition and graduate employability. The study also highlighted the prevalence of hard skills acquisition among graduates and suggested that Nigerian graduates should acquire relevant skills besides their academic degrees to increase their employability. It is recommended that all Nigerian universities incorporate hard and soft skills learning programs in their curricula to improve the employability of graduates in the 21st century