Youth Embrace Skills Acquisition to Tackle Unemployment in Nigeria
In a bid to tackle the prevalent issue of unemployment in Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Sa’adatu Hassan-Liman, has called on youths across the country to acquire relevant skills to improve their livelihoods. The call was made during the Exhibition of Students Products, organized by the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies at the institution, in Keffi Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Vice Chancellor, not every student will have the privilege of landing a white-collar job, making it essential for them to develop their skills and talents to become self-reliant and financially independent. She emphasized the importance of youths taking charge of their lives, saying that “as a student, it is important to learn a skill that will prepare you ahead so that after graduation, you will be able to set up your own business and start earning while searching for any job of your choice.”
Hassan-Liman also urged political leaders in the country to support the youths by regularly organizing skill acquisition programs that would help them become self-reliant and financially independent. “The skills that you all have learnt should be practised to the extent that you will become employers of labour. I can assure you that with the skills you have acquired, you are already on the way to taking Nigeria to greater heights,” she added.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the lecturers and staff of the entrepreneurship department for their efforts towards grooming the students to become employers of labour shortly. She emphasized the importance of quality production and marketing of the produced products to complement the efforts of the government and private sector in their bid to provide quality service to the citizens of the country.
The exhibition showcased various skills acquired by the students, including paint making, soap making, photography, baking, fashion design, graphic design, event management, and planning. The Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies, Dr. Monica Agu, explained that the exhibition was a platform for the students to share their unique perspectives through innovative solutions, artistic expressions, and technological advancements.
As the students prepare to graduate, the Vice Chancellor’s words of wisdom are a timely reminder that skills acquisition is key to tackling the challenges of unemployment in Nigeria. By embracing entrepreneurship and developing their skills, the youths can take charge of their lives, become self-reliant, and contribute meaningfully to the growth of the society.
