by Mofoyeke Omole
The story of Nigerian graduates without jobs has become all too familiar. Nigeria’s unemployment rate for highly educated people was 6.718% in 2022 and has been steadily increasing ever then. It is also crucial to remember that a sizable portion of people who are believed to be employed are actually significantly underemployed and nonetheless manage to find fulfilling work. But after fifteen years of assisting businesses and individuals in filling skills shortages, I can state with confidence that deliberate reskilling is the answer—with a vital twist that many people overlook.
Not only is unemployment a major issue, but there is also a growing disconnect between traditional university education and the quickly changing needs of global and indeed Nigeria’s developing digital economy. Employers are clamouring for professionals with emerging technology skills like data science, cloud computing, cyber security, blockchain, augmented reality, data analytics, programming, UI/UX, web development, machine learning, software development, artificial intelligence, and others, even as our universities continue to produce graduates in traditional fields.
A three-pronged strategy is needed to solve the problem, and I’ve seen it change careers time and again. Digital-first skill acquisition comes first. Developing digital skills that meet market demands must be a top priority for graduates. This does not imply that everyone must learn to program. Instead, think about becoming proficient in digital marketing and social media management, project management with agile techniques, user experience design, business analysis with process automation, and data analysis using tools like Python and Excel.
Digital enhancement tailored to a particular industry comes in second. There is a digital counterpart for every traditional field. Graduates in accounting can concentrate on digital accounting systems and financial technologies. Graduates in education might investigate online learning management and educational technology. Graduates in business administration can become experts in digital business transformation and e-commerce.
The third is the use of micro-projects for practical application. Theory is insufficient on its own. Graduates must complete real-world tasks to develop their portfolios. Begin by constructing social media campaigns for nearby companies, making basic websites for community organizations, or working on data visualization projects utilizing publicly available statistics.
Support is necessary for this reskilling revolution, even though individual effort is essential. More training facilities for digital skills must be established by the public and commercial sectors in collaboration with IT firms. They must establish apprenticeship programs in technology-driven industries and finance reskilling initiatives.
Here’s a calculated method for recent graduates who are prepared to act. Start by assessing your present skill set in relation to market demands. Select a major digital talent that complements your experience to begin planning. Combine structured classes with free internet resources to help you concentrate on studying. Next, put your expertise to use by working on real-world initiatives, even if they are initially unpaid. Lastly, network by going to tech events and participating in online professional networks.
This strategy has advantages that go beyond personal employment. We make the workforce more competitive for global markets as more graduates retrain for the digital economy. As a result, there are more chances for digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and job development.
Nigerian jobs of the future is here and digital, thus our graduates need to adjust. The good news is that there are more online learning platforms that provide top-notch instruction at reasonable prices, making it easier than ever to acquire digital skills.
For recent graduates without jobs, keep in mind that your degree is a starting point for developing new, marketable skills, not a destination. Your current job status and graduation year are irrelevant in the digital economy. It is more concerned with what you are willing to learn for the future than with what you can accomplish today.
Now is the moment for strategic reskilling. The talents you’re willing to gain now will determine your share of the digital economy, not the credentials you obtained yesterday. Investing an hour in acquiring a new digital skill will increase your employability in the future.
Written by Mofoyeke Omole, Learning and Development Expert and Executive Director, Thrivebridge Initiative