The alarming proportion of Nigerian graduates seeking employment to the number of graduates being churned out by our tertiary institutions seems to be of great concern to progress loving Nigerians. Every year, a large number of graduates are discharged into the labour market to compete for the few available jobs therein. Industries and organizations are then faced with the challenges of selection. For some, selecting strictly on merit now becomes a thing of using criteria like what school, what degree, grade and other professional qualification(s) attained by the individual applicant while for others, acquisition of organizational, entrepreneurial and other job skills is of paramount importance and is required of qualified applicants. Aside the few applicants that eventually clinched these jobs on merit, there is also an appreciable percentage of those that are less qualified but still get to be employed because of who they know or what interest they have in the firm.
What is really disheartening about the whole experience is the inadequacy of the present educational structure to equip students with the requisite skills needed to meet certain important criteria. Our educational framework is so structured that students are only imparted to become perpetual job seekers and not business owners. What is lacking in the present educational curriculum includes courses that could enhance the translation of knowledge acquired into developing not just careers but building basic business and entrepreneurial skills. These courses, if added would go a long way in improving working skills and also equip the average Nigerian youth with the wherewithal to be innovators and idea generators. These would largely affect the quality of graduates produced in the process. As it said that ideas rule the world, the economy of the country will in consequence experience tremendous growth.
One thing that could also be imparted to this generation to stimulate development is financial literacy. Children should be taught from childhood to be better money managers. Parent should ensure that the average Nigerian child is taught the rudiments of saving and investing for the future so that as they grow older and passes through various institutions, this acquired knowledge is blended into their careers and skills. These, if properly imbibed begins to tell on their value system even as they tend to become better managers of resources. Financial literacy entails getting them to understand what assets and liabilities truly are, and their effects on resources, teaching them sound savings and investment strategies for the future, equipping them with the understanding of various financial statements and their use in order to sharpen their investment and business decision skills amongst others. Money management if properly imparted and strictly adhered to would be highly beneficial to this generation. Productivity and self reliance would be greatly improved and our nation would be better for it.
Finally, there is also a need for the present generation to be inculcated with good leadership skills. It is often said that everything in life rises and falls on leadership. Bad leadership still remains one the main issues militating against the progress of this nation. We have been saddled in this nation with leaders that could not be taken at their words; leaders who place self above national interests. They promise heaven and earth, yet deliver very little or nothing to the electorate. With the right kind of attitude and good leadership skills, this generation will be better positioned towards building the right framework for national development.
From the home, the child’s first educational institution, to the school and even at work, leadership skills and team spirit should be entrenched in every child. These, they could grow by, stick by and live by. Our nation would in turn be driven towards positive growth and development. Towards building a new and better nation for ourselves and generations yet unborn.
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