The growing poverty, unemployment and social vices experienced in the country are affecting families and relationships, leading to questions on whether skills acquisition will be a way out. PAUL OKAH reports.
In Nigeria today, many people go to school with the mindset of getting certificates to work in big establishments or securing civil service jobs to be able to fund certain lifestyles and to cater for families.
Many even go as far as buying employment slots or bribing their way into getting white collar jobs, while others wait in eternity for openings to apply for civil service jobs as they consider skills acquisition and menial jobs as being below their education.
To many, they will rather remain idle or dependent on others for sustenance than learn skills; hence, the common complaint that there are no jobs in Nigeria by graduates being churned out by tertiary institutions with nothing else to offer than certificates.
With the lack of interest in skills acquisition, it is not a wonder that many Nigerians are languishing in abject poverty and unemployment, while others take to armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of social vices to make ends meet.
A barber’s experience
Speaking with this reporter, a barber in Gwarinpa, FCT, Patrick Oseni, said he makes more than N400, 000 per month from haircuts, which is more than many people earn as salary as civil servants.
“Pride is the problem of many people in Nigeria, especially those who call themselves graduates. Apart from pride, many of them are too lazy to learn skills and will rather beg for money than be seen doing menial jobs or anything that supposedly isn’t in tandem with their education.
“I am a graduate. I studied Public Administration in school, but I didn’t hanker for jobs upon graduation. In fact, during my university days, I used a few months away from school to learn how to cut hair. Therefore, when I graduated, I didn’t have to disturb myself unnecessarily to look for jobs either in the civil service or any other office.
“With the help of my parents and relatives, I was able to set up my barber’s shop. Presently, I make close to N500,000 per month. No matter how much I spend on consumables for the shop, my net profit does not drop below N400,000. In fact, many of those I graduated with a still hoping for jobs, whereas I am presently gainfully employed. Haircut is N1,000 in my area, while shaving is N500. I attend to more than 20 customers a day and often make N15,000 or more on a daily basis.
“Those who see it as a demeaning job for a graduate to turn to a barber are missing the point because I make more than many civil servants. So, I will advise Nigerians out there to acquire skills to sustain themselves and not depend on office jobs. This country is not where you take pride in being a graduate looking for non-existent jobs, there are many skills for you to learn and be your own boss if you can do away with pride,” he said.
Similarly, a hairdresser, Rita Obonga, told Blueprint Weekend that acquiring skills has enabled her to be self-employed and not depend on anyone for survival.
She said, “If there is anything I am grateful to God for, it is the fact that I was able to learn hairdressing and make up skills on time and to be able to stand on my own. Though it was not easy during my apprenticeship days, I am a proud madam of myself today. I make enough to sustain myself and my siblings.
“I didn’t finish my university education because of my funding issues, but I will return to school in the coming years as I can now confidently sustain myself with skills I have acquired. More interesting is the fact that many of my graduate friends even come to me for financial help from time to time. These are people who are doing office jobs and earning salaries, though some of them are still struggling to get jobs. On the other hand, I even have apprentices learning from me to set up themselves.
“The point I am trying to make is that nothing stops you from acquiring skills even as a student or graduate. Skills will take you to places where your certificate cannot take you to. There is greater pride when you’re not depending on anyone for your livelihood. It is those who are proud and that don’t want to be associated with any trade who depend on others. Pride will not be put on your table. It is the work you do that will need you and your family.
“Even as a woman, men now look for women who have skills or who are doing well either in businesses or careers before talking about marriage. No man wants to marry a liability nowadays because the economy is no longer like before where men didn’t have problems with their wives staying at home. Nowadays, both men and women are hustling because there are numerous bills to pay. So, skill acquisition is very important, no matter how you look at it or your level of education.”
An ICT consultant’s take
In an interview with Blueprint Weekend, an ICT consultant, Reuben Osaka, advised Nigerians to acquire ICT skills as the world is changing and many people are becoming displaced in their jobs.
He said, “Acquiring soft skills is very important in today’s Nigeria. There is a slogan that Nigeria is a country where graduates drop their certificates and hustle like school dropouts. This is because many certificates have become valueless, compared to skills you acquire after your graduation. Skills must not necessarily be for menial jobs or to become an artisan. You can acquire soft or ICT skills even as a graduate.
“Many organisations are downsising because of government policies affecting the economy, while technology is taking away the jobs of many people who refuse to change with the times. In today’s world, you can earn money from the comfort of your home if you have ICT skills. If you are in the art, you can acquire literary skills to write for many organizations as a ghostwriter and make cool money from the comfort of your home. You can develop websites for many organisations as an engineer and make your money.
“ICT jobs are the most sought after these days. Just with the touch of a button, a computer can do better jobs than an archaic accountant who claims to be chartered. Artificial Intelligence can give you more information than the secretary or PA you are relying on in the office. So, soft skills can elevate you to enviable heights.”
He said further, “I have a friend, who is not even a graduate, but has migrated to Canada because of the ICT skills he acquired. This is while many people are still blaming the government for not providing jobs. You owe it as a duty to provide for yourself and your family and not depend on politicians or the government. There are limitless opportunities for you if you have ICT skills, so there is no better time than now to lift yourself from government and unemployment than now if you can acquire ICT skills and emancipate yourself from mental slavery.
“Take online courses like Coursera, edX and Udemy. Learn digital skills and software development like Java, Python, JavaScript, mobile app development, SEO, social media marketing, content creation and cybersecurity like ethical hacking, penetration testing and security analysis. You can learn cloud computing like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and cloud infrastructure.
“Again, creative skills and graphic design like Visual design, branding, UI/UX. Learn video production like filmmaking, editing visual effects, portrait, landscape, documentary photography. Even as writer, there are opportunities for content writing, copywriting, creative writing. Even in this era of renewable energy, one can learn solar, wind, hydro energy installation and maintenance.”
