Proffering Solutions to the Problem of Unemployment in Nigeria from the Standpoint of a Graduate

It is appalling that the so called giant of Africa finds it hard to live up to her alias. We as citizens cannot keep wishing for a better Nigeria while our arms are folded. We cannot keep praying without actions for the actualization of a Nigeria of our dreams. Faith is one word, work is another. And like the Holy book says- “Faith without work is dead.” These words still stand the test of time. The article you are reading aims at proffering solutions to the problem of unemployment in Nigeria from the standpoint of a graduate.
In a country with population estimated to be over 180 million and whose youths comprise of over 55%, it is alarming to find that the rate of unemployment among these able bodied percentage is teeming. The number increases by the year as different universities and polytechnics release graduates. It is disturbing to find that the government supposed to be by the people, of the people and for the people is only for themselves and for the satisfaction of their nepotistic appetite. What’s the way forward?
A Retrospective Observation
Before talking about the way forward, it is imperative to have a retrospective observation of how things were. This is paramount because before solutions can be proffered, one needs to know if this problem had been that way from the very beginning. By so doing, one could tell where the problem originated from and recommendations could be offered.
Nigeria’s Independence
After independence in 1960, some scholars are of the view that Nigeria was in a haste to be independent and was not ready. They justify their view on grounds of numerous post-independence mishaps that have dwarfed her stature and has left her economy in an ailing and quagmire state. One of such mishaps is the oodles of unemployment. The sole reason for this article.
Shortly after independence in 1960, Nigeria’s economy seemed promising where economic diversification was the culture being practiced. Fast-forward to the 21st Century, one would wonder what in the heavens happened to her multi-product based economy where diverse industries were up and running. During the period of economy diversification, there were jobs in abundance not like now where jobs are limited and mostly secured based on nepotism.
What happened?
A very good question to ask. The first republic was toppled by a junta which was toppled by another junta before a hand over back to the civilian rule of the second republic. The second republic was also toppled by a junta which was later toppled by another junta before a hand over to the third republic. The third republic was sacked and the military took over again before handing over to the fourth republic in 1999. Since 1999 until the time of writing this article, the Fourth republic has been maintained without the interference of the military. The epileptic transition of power from an aberration government to another aberration contributed to the decline of the country’s economy which eventually affected employment in Nigeria. The major cause of economic somersault was the exploitation of the new found product, crude oil by the military government.
Discovery of Crude oil
Although, history provides that crude oil was discovered in Oloibori in 1956 even before independence. The first military regime exploited this new found and lucrative industry. Due to the temptations of immense returns and revenues garnered from this new found industry that launched the country into the league of petro-state, other industries such as Agricultural and manufacturing industries were abandoned. This largely affected the economy and it is arguably responsible for the mono-product oil based economy being practiced today. The temptation of oil the country fell into has brought about numerous consequences such as the plague of unemployment.
What is the way out?
From the standpoint of a graduate who is concerned and who was once unemployed for years, the following recommendations are made.

1. Mind Revolution.

By revolution, picking up arms is not the only resort. Nigerian youths could engage the revolution of the mind. By this, we revolt against the government with industrial creativity. Not via crimes but the establishment of businesses. Everyone can think of an idea. No matter how lofty any one’s idea is, it can first be executed on a small scale. This way, we can revolt against the government. If they don’t create jobs, we can create jobs and we do not have to wait for them or depend on them for survival. You could be a graduate and wonder why you find it hard to secure employment or survive with your certificate. Formal education will merely make you an income while self-education will make you a fortune. Going through the four walls of a university is enough to make you think different from illiterates. Now use that thinking for others. How can you help others? Those who help others become wealthy. We need to shift our mindset by engaging a mind revolution. You don’t have to work with your certificate. You cannot keep waiting on a government that has refused to promulgate policies that will diversify the economy or even design ways the average Nigerian citizen can benefit from the oil revenue her economy largely depends upon. Only few benefit from Nigeria’s oil which is not meant to be so. I recall NNPC advertising vacancies in March 2019 and after some months, messages were sent to shortlisted candidates to come take a CBT. This exercise is laughable because of its political underpinnings. The government fulfilled all righteousness while employment letters were given to candidates based on nepotism. You will be surprised to find that none of the finally recruited candidates might have not even taken the computer based tests (CBT).

2. Promulgate Policies for Economy Diversification

As much as the gospel of economy diversification has been preached via academic journals, seminars, conferences etc. The government still finds it hard to put measures in place to bring about economy diversification. Based on a subjective thought, this might be intentional. The temptation of oil is so alluring that revenues garnered from it keeps the government blind to recommendations on ‘robustifying’ and saving her economy from a mono-product based one. It is sad that nothing might happen until the oil wells start to dry up. Some have argued that this will never happen because crude is some kind of fossil while others share a contradictory view.

3. Support the Private Sector

From the look of things in Nigeria, the private sector seems to be the back bone of her economy. The government should give this sector all the support it needs. Since she has refused to engage policies that will diversify the economy, it should support the private sector who are trying to help diversify the economy and provide jobs for unemployed youths. Support given to them will in turn help create more jobs for the unemployed in the country.

4. Inclusive Benefits

The Federal government of Nigeria (FGN) cannot judge her success based on helping 30,000 graduates out of the teeming population of graduands released yearly. Whatever benefit they render must be inclusive to all. Every jobless graduate must benefit from it. This is very possible provided that the right measures are put in place. The country is rich, the country is very blessed but it is sad that the national cake is being consumed by just a few.

5. The Death of Nepotism

Nepotism should be punishable under the law. This is the height of corruption where one who deserves a position is substituted for another because you know him or you stand to benefit from him. Nepotism is the death of us. This should be treated as an atrocity. It is alarming that the average Nigerian man thinks you cannot land a job unless you know someone. This reminds me of a friend who heard I landed a job back in 2018. The next thing he said was “who helped you?” What a degrading mentality. This is simply because someone helped him secure his present job. He did not even do an exam to secure the job. A quasi-interview was just arranged for him to fulfil all righteousness.
In conclusion, it is important to correct the viral statement issued by the presidency that “Nigerian youths are lazy.” This is not true because every time I go out, I see hard working youths in their oodles trying to make ends meet legally. If the government put measures in place to provide jobs, these youths it labels lazy will change the narrative. Little wonder why an average Nigerian seeks greener pastures where his services will be appreciated.
NB
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