Mrs. Zainab Aliyu, the Deputy Registrar at the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Kaduna, has underscored the critical importance of entrepreneurship as a viable solution to the growing unemployment crisis in Nigeria.
Speaking at a specialized two-day training program held in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Thursday, Mrs. Aliyu emphasized that the government alone cannot provide employment for the country’s vast number of graduates and polytechnic leavers.
During her address at the conclusion of the training, Mrs. Aliyu remarked, “The government cannot provide jobs for every graduate or polytechnic leaver in Nigeria because we are too large in number.”
She served as a resource person at the event, where she highlighted the essential role that self-employment must play, especially given the government’s limited capacity to offer jobs to the country’s rapidly expanding population.
“Entrepreneurship is all about being economically independent,” Mrs. Aliyu stated, pointing out that small entrepreneurial ventures are the backbone of economies in other populous nations.”
She drew parallels with countries like India and China, which, despite their large populations, have successfully sustained their economies through the proliferation of small-scale businesses.
The training program in Lafia saw an impressive turnout, exceeding initial expectations. Mrs. Aliyu noted, “We projected to train 70 participants, but the number is quite impressive; I believe we have over 95 or 96% attendance.”
She urged participants to fully engage with the training, stressing the significant opportunities it presents for their future. “They know why they are here, and I believe they have the determination to succeed,” she concluded.
The training, organized by NTI in collaboration with CANONIC Associates Limited, aimed to equip 72 youths, predominantly female, with essential skills in hairdressing and barbing, thereby empowering them to start their own businesses and achieve economic independence.
Architect Josephine Tanimu, the Head of Operations at CANONIC Associates Limited, also spoke at the event, reinforcing the program’s objectives. “We’re here for the entrepreneurship skills training for youth in selected areas of Lafia Local Government,” Tanimu stated.
She emphasized that the training was not just an empowerment scheme but a comprehensive entrepreneurial initiative designed to prepare participants for real-world business challenges.
“It’s not an empowerment skill; it’s entrepreneurial,” Tanimu clarified.
She added that while the program included a small offering—such as stipends and basic startup kits—the focus was on equipping the participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to build and sustain their businesses.
“Nothing big, but something very small, to aid with the startup for the participants present here today,” she said.
The program’s success and the participants’ enthusiasm highlighted the importance of such initiatives in fostering economic independence and reducing unemployment among Nigeria’s youth.
