Students of the University of Abuja have called for greater emphasis on practical skills alongside academic qualifications, saying the combination could improve young Nigerians’ employability and promote self-reliance.
The students, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said while academic qualifications remained important, graduates needed practical skills to adapt to the changing demands of the labour market.
They identified technology, artificial intelligence, graphics design, communication, phone repairs, data analysis, content creation and other vocational skills as areas that could provide young people with additional sources of income.
Ayodele Tobi, a 200-level Civil Engineering student, said acquiring practical skills alongside academic qualifications could give young people an advantage in an increasingly competitive labour market.
“It’s a good idea to acquire skills alongside academic certificates. Skills like technology, graphics and communication can help young people earn money,” he said.
Tobi said skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, sports, technology and vocational training could equip young people with practical knowledge to establish businesses or become self-employed.
He, however, identified inadequate funding and awareness as some of the factors limiting young people’s participation in skills acquisition programmes.
“Some programmes help, but not everyone benefits from those programmes,” he said.
Tobi said he would prefer to establish his own business rather than depend solely on a white-collar job, urging the government and educational institutions to provide more training, funding and other forms of support for young people.
Similarly, Eze Chiamaka, a 300-level Economics student, said academic certificates alone were no longer sufficient to guarantee employment amid growing competition in the labour market.
She suggested that if between 50 and 70 per cent of graduates and other young Nigerians acquired practical skills, more people could become self-employed, potentially contributing to efforts to reduce unemployment.
Chiamaka identified inadequate knowledge and enlightenment as some of the factors discouraging young people from participating in skills acquisition programmes.
She said she preferred self-employment because of the independence associated with owning a business.
“There is nothing like being a boss and controlling things on your own. Working under someone takes a lot of patience and endurance,” she said.
Chiamaka called on the government to increase awareness and enlightenment programmes on the importance of practical skills.
Victor Okoye, a 200-level Agricultural Engineering student, said changing economic realities had made practical skills increasingly important for young people seeking employment.
“Unlike before, things have changed now. It’s either you have connections or skills, not certificates,” he said.
Okoye said he developed an interest in phone technology while in JSS1 and was supported by his parents to undergo training.
“Now I’m a certified phone technician. After secondary school, while waiting for admission, I used that time to put my skill to work and I was making some funds,” he said.
He urged the government to ensure that schools placed greater emphasis on practical knowledge that could complement academic education.
Janet Airen, a 300-level Development and Strategic Communication student, also said university degrees could be complemented with practical skills to expand graduates’ livelihood opportunities.
She identified digital and technology-related skills, content creation and graphic design as useful areas for young Nigerians.
Airen, however, said she preferred a white-collar job because she was not business-minded and considered entrepreneurship stressful.
She urged the government to create more employment opportunities by establishing industries and factories.
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Chetchet Sheyin, a 400-level Civil Engineering student, identified inadequate resources, high expectations, fear of failure and unwillingness to persevere as factors that could discourage young people from pursuing skills acquisition or entrepreneurship.
Sheyin also cited lack of capital, high operating costs, poor infrastructure, insecurity and limited access to business support as challenges confronting young entrepreneurs.
He urged the government to provide affordable loans, improve infrastructure and create a stable environment for businesses to thrive.
“I would prefer to build my own business in Nigeria because it gives me the opportunity to create jobs for others and contribute to the development of the economy.
“But we need the government to create that conducive business climate,” he said.
He also called on well-meaning organisations to provide mentorship, training and funding opportunities for young Nigerians.
The students agreed that combining academic qualifications with practical skills could provide young Nigerians with broader opportunities in a competitive labour market.
They urged the government, educational institutions and relevant organisations to strengthen skills acquisition programmes and provide the necessary support to enable young people to turn their skills into sustainable sources of income.
