The 21st century has brought with it the new opportunities that we would forever be thankful for,
but with these opportunities comes a required change in the way the workplace functions.
There are now skills that have been identified as a prerequisite for workplace success and life
in general.
In Nigeria presently, it is said that the average Nigerian youth does not possess employability skills;
skills that they need to secure a job and function effectively in the workplace.
This does not mean that they do not have certification of some sort, but the average Nigerian graduate is
described as “unemployable”, not because they do not have a degree,
but because they do not have skills that are relevant to the workplace.
This causes a “mismatch” between the skills available and what is actually needed.
Skills such as Effective Communication, Time Management, Problem Solving, Presentation etc.
Forging ahead, there needs to be a combined effort by various stakeholders- employers, policymakers,
educators and the youth themselves to ensure that young people in Nigeria are ready for the
workplace and are able to contribute substantially to the growth and development of themselves and
the Nigerian economy at large. Young people ought to be made aware that developing themselves in
every area asides qualifications would be profitable for them. Policies need to be put in place to ensure
that the education system in Nigeria is inclusive of these realities. We should be found ensuring that
we align ourselves with the current realities and keep pace with global trends and practices.
educators and the youth themselves to ensure that young people in Nigeria are ready for the
workplace and are able to contribute substantially to the growth and development of themselves and
the Nigerian economy at large. Young people ought to be made aware that developing themselves in
every area asides qualifications would be profitable for them. Policies need to be put in place to ensure
that the education system in Nigeria is inclusive of these realities. We should be found ensuring that
we align ourselves with the current realities and keep pace with global trends and practices.
WAVE is playing its part in ensuring that youths are being equipped with the skills needed at the work-
place; soft skills that are imperative in this century. We “up-skill” millions of youth to fill stable jobs that
transform their incomes thereby driving scalable, replicable and sustainable impact and converting
Africa’s youth from demographic liabilities to “demographic dividends. Our training covers skills such as
communications skills, critical thinking skills, teamwork and a host of others.
The future we want can be created by us but it would not happen by accident but by deliberately
engaging in steps that would make this take place. We say a happy International Youth Day to every
young person out there.
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