Nigerian youths and the dilemma of unemployment and skill mismatch
Nigeria currently has a population of about 40 million youths, this represents the highest number in Africa and one of the highest in the world. It’s however saddening that about fifty percent of these youths are underemployed.
According to the statistics released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 81% of the 35.5 million gainfully employed people do not have certificates higher than SSCE. This sad situation means that the education sector is not viable enough to produce youths that are skilled and competent.
The reality glaring at us is that many youths have talents but the education sector and the society do not give them an enabling environment to develop their talents.
While the education systems in advanced countries focus on skills and competence, ours is due to lack of facilities and sometimes required man power largely dependent on certificate and grades.
According to the AfDB, one-third [of youth] are unemployed and discouraged, another third are vulnerably employed, and only one in six is in wage employment.
This problem can only be tackled holistically by first doing a complete overhaul of our Education Sector.
Dr Oyeleke Olarinoye opined that the Education Sector should not be limited to Tertiary, Secondary and Primary institutions alone, it should be expanded to skill acquisition and training colleges.
Tonye Cole in this interview suggested that the solution to the problem of unemployment and under-optimization of Youths' talents in Nigeria can be addressed by creating a Platform
Two of such organizations working assiduously to create an enabling platform for the Nigerian Youths to display, develop and showcase their skills, talents and productive ideas are Youth Enlightenment Empowerment and Self-sustainability Initiative (YEESSI) and Nigerian Diaspora Movement
In a commendable move, the two organizations collaborated to launch a program tagged Acknowledging Real Talent Contest
The contest which had its debut edition concluded on Saturday 29th of August, 2020 recorded a laudable success and huge participation by the youths spreading across all the regions of the country
Speaking at the prize-giving ceremony which held on Saturday 29th August, 2020 on Zoom, the Chairman of YEESSI, Mr. Kazeem Ojoye appreciated the enthusiasm and the commitment of the 60 youths that participated in the 4-week virtual contest; he reiterated his confidence in the capacity of the Nigerian youths and assured that YEESSI will continue to empower them as much as possible.
Mentoring Cmdt. Alistair Shoyode, the founder of Ben TV UK and also a former presidential candidate, who was the Keynote Speaker talked on the ways to maximise the potential of Nigerian youths. He listed lack of access to funds, skill mismatch, lack of infrastructure, and disregard for rule of law among others as the major challenges confronting Nigerian youths.
Prof. Apollos Nwauwa, the Chairman of the Nigerian Diaspora Movement, was the Chief Panelist while Dr. Olarinoye Oyeleke, a senior lecturer at the Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State and Ambassador Agbeja Adebobola, the Chairperson of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Oyo State Chapter, were members of the panel. The panel discussions focused on suggesting solutions to the problem of unfavourable environment for talent manifestation confronted by Nigerian youths. A complete overhaul of the educational sector, proper funding of the educational sector, and provision of fundings for the youths, among others, were some of the solutions suggested.
Mirabel Eguasa, a music artiste and a 500-level student of the University of Benin emerged first; Adeleke Adeola, a fashion designer and final-year student of the Polytechnic Ile-Ife, and Perfect Agbahovbe, a first-year student of the University of Benin and visual artist emerged second and third respectively. The winners and the other 10 finalists were graciously awarded
Additionally, Ojelade Kafayat, a writer and student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, was given a paid internship opportunity with the organization. Mentoring Cmdt Alistair Shoyode in addition donated cash prizes to all the 10 finalists.
The duo of Prof Apollos Nwauwa and Engr. Obed Monago, the Chairman BoT of Nigerian in Diaspora Organization, USA having been impressed with the presentations of the contestants gave personal donations to double the cash prizes to the winners.
The 4-week long contest which held virtually featured training on Digital Skills, Human-Centered Design Thinking, and Writing & Communication, among other series of value-laden tasks.
The participants were graded according to their performances during the given tasks.
Ayodeji Simbal, the popular talented entertainer graced the event to create an atmosphere of fun. In his remarks, Prof Apollos urged the youths to be more focused and to ensure that they develop themselves in whatever skill they find themselves with. Mr. Ojoye appreciated everyone who made the program a huge success and also assured that the next edition will be even bigger and better.
Visit YEESSI and NDM’s websites to learn more about the activities of the two organizations
