It is a common knowledge today that the Nigerian state cannot singlehandedly address the unemployment challenge that has beset its youths since the last three decades. To describe the challenge of youth unemployment as a hydra-headed monster is, in the truest sense, to say the least of the imbroglio that has defied several efforts aimed at ameliorating it.
Successive administrations at the various levels of governance have explored the best options (that were available and practicable to them) in dealing with the confounding issue of qualified and able bodied citizens finding it extremely difficult to get good paying jobs. From the skills acquisition initiative to the back to farm programmes, there is yet to be a commensurate positive result with the efforts, human and material resources being expended on the prosecution of the war against the insurgence of youth unemployment.
I emphasized the word, ‘extremely’ because despite the harrowing fact that there are little or no white collar jobs out there, the requisite conducive environment that encourages self-reliance ventures is almost being obliterated from the Nigerian scene. For instance, the menacing cattle and herdsmen won’t allow agriculture to flourish; poor internet connection and dearth of broadband is frustrating youths in the ICT sector; while political and leadership sphere is nearly being monopolized by the older generation. All these make it extremely difficult for the average Nigerian youth to aspire for greatness.
Nigerian author and literary professor of international repute, Chinua Achebe once recalled that in the past, the Nigerian system “was so well organized” that graduates of tertiary institutions were instantly absorbed into the civil service, academia, business or industry immediately they left school. Unfortunately, Achebe’s era of lucky generation seems to have ended. The current situation is so critical and threatening that it is becoming abundantly clear that, as a nation, we are wobbling on a keg of gun powder awaiting detonation.
Nevertheless, I still see a very bright prospect for those who look beyond the temporary odds and stretch out for the actualization of their life goals; I also believe that the jobs which the youths are seeking today will come one day.
It's on the basis of this that I will commend the SMART Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa for initiating the YAGEP, STEP and other noble job creation schemes that are designed to address the challenge of youth unemployment in Delta State. I'm using this medium to call on all young Deltans to embrace these initiatives and wholly utilize the life changing prospect they present.
In the interim however, there is a little opportunity that has remained elusive to most of us and this is in the area of private extra-mural classes.
I can still recall that after obtaining a National Certificate on Education (NCE) many years ago, I could not immediately find a paying job in the federal, state or local government service. But to keep body and soul together, I joined some of my friends to organize private extra-mural classes for primary and secondary schools pupils and students respectively. Due to the general low level of interest in education then, the monetary gain was not enough to assuage our financial needs, but we were able to meaningfully keep ourselves busy and sort out our basic needs.
In contrast today, the society places a high premium on literacy and education and this has invariably increased the number of people seeking education at the basic, secondary and tertiary levels. Besides the school work, parents and guardians are also seeking private tutelage for their children and wards: this is an area one may wish to consider as an unemployed youth.
It may sound weird and uncanny for you to favourably consider running a private tutorial as a graduate of tertiary institution with, perhaps, a first class, second class upper or second lower degree. But the truth remains that there is (legitimate) money in that venture.
My personal survey shows that parents could pay between N10,000 to N15,000 per child on a monthly basis, depending on the number of subjects and hours being taught. If for instance, you are teaching five children who are paying a monthly token of N10,000 each; you will invariably be earning about N50,000 every month which is well above the current minimum wage in Nigeria. This monthly earning may not wholly satisfy your financial needs (that is if anyone’s financial need is satiable anyway), but you will have the dignity of your labour and enjoy the respect of being a productive member of the society.
Besides, as an unemployed graduate, you could team up with your friends in different fields of study to organize well coordinated extra-mural classes that will improve the academic performances of the younger generation. If properly run, this could even metamorphose into a standard school (upon the acquisition of relevant white papers) and that is how your entrepreneurial journey will begin.
As it is always said, the journey to the top begins with an idea; a very simple idea! May the good Lord help us all in Jesus’ name, amen.
Chief Henry Ogheneochuko Ofa, Ph.D
Member, Board of Governing Council,
Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
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