UPTURNING THE NIGERIAN EMPLOYMENT SITUATION
Nigeria is the largest black nation in the world and with a population of over 110 million people; it is time we start using that to our advantage. Though the nation’s educational sector unwittingly emphasizes quantity rather than quality with the end products usually not attractive in a competitive labour market but there’s still something we can do about it. At least that is why we all went to school: to be problem solvers and that is just the point. Our educational curriculum is reported to have been structured to meet the needs of the colonial administration’s manpower needs. It thus fosters the job seeker mindset rather than that of a job creator but there is still something we can still do about it. In truth, the graduate employability problem is not limited to a lack of requisite skills and insufficient employment opportunities. It is also and more importantly a problem with the prevailing mindset.
A lot of graduates throng the streets looking for the big time jobs in the banks, telecom and oil &gas companies. A lot of them are in for the big bucks. Some of them have abandoned career and self fulfillment as a result. Like the dangerous Machiavellian philosophy, in this prevailing mindset, the end justifies the means and hence money is what matters. In truth money matters but not at the expense of fulfillment and there are other ways to hit a jackpot without getting sadder. For instance, I am yet to see a multi billionaire on the Forbes list that made it all from a glorious career. Most of them were entrepreneurs/ job creators who set about pursuing what they loved, creating value for people and getting value for it. If we the intent is to acquire riches, there are other means to accomplish that objective without looking good on the outside but sick and remorse on the inside.
Whilst it is true that in most cases business management and enterprise skills are not taught in schools, there are several non-governmental organizations that provide training in the field. A lot can also be learnt by reading management and enterprise related books, whilst mentoring and personal experience can also prove very useful. With all the learning, the best learning experience is harnessed when you step out. You can never learn enough but a lot of individuals practice too little. In the hearts of several stay at home whilst looking for work job seekers are creative ideas that can give the Dangotes a run for their money. All they need to do is to step out!
Digging further, a lot Nigerian job seekers are in the hunt for a dream job but have not realized the old saying that nothing goes for nothing. Yes, we realize the harsh economic realities that Nigerians face and the many problems that money would solve or help alleviate. However, there is a need for a value exchange. Many third tier graduates are asking for first class salaries. Very few people have developed themselves to actually bring positive change to the environments that they find themselves. Too many are exclusively concerned of what they would get. Ever heard of the word parasites? There are parasites in the labour market as well. Ever heard a friend that only took from you and never gave back? The same feeling of resentment and disapproval you must have unleashed is obtainable in the labour market. When next you see a graduate who has been a job seeker for years, it is time to ask certain questions. What skills do you have? What are you doing with your time? What books have you read recently? What are your plans for the future? What is your career objective? Have you identified the potential you have on the inside? Have you really discovered yourself? What happened at your last place of work? Are you still waiting for that big job? Why don’t you consider alternatives?
In conclusion, some words on marble. In an ideal sense, there is no big or small job. It all depends on what you do with it. It is all about seizing opportunity. We only hope that it comes many times more than once. Whether once, twice or thrice, when it comes to seizing the opportunity, the buck stops with you. The question just is “What are you going to do with it?”
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