By Najib Ahmad, PhD

Thanks to the existing curriculum in Nigerian schools (its directions, objectives, and preferences), students who wholly rely on this system hardly possess any tangible skill, which would prepare them to become self-directed or independent or job providers. They can also barely avoid queueing the assembly of youths whose over-dependence on the government-provided jobs is noticeable countrywide. Any thoughtful country that cannot provide jobs for its youth population knows the gravity of its future, which may be bleak. Fortunately, this is not a lonesome fight for Nigeria. It is a common challenge bedevilling the world today from the Far East, West to the far South Mediterranean countries, including developed and developing parts of the world.

There is a lack of adequate jobs everywhere, possibly for several divergent reasons. It is shared treachery, especially with the continuing world’s economic meltdown due to many seen and unseen factors. So, as a Nigerian, please do not take it hard or shudder; imbibe water and relax a trifle because we are not alone in this mess. There may be an advantage to every saddle moment.

Since the beginning of Covid-19, some countries have imposed total or partial lockdown–longer or shorter. These changes in our lives have handicapped the economy of nations and shattered peoples’ economic stability. On and off, many countries are still struggling with lockdown, which eventually forces people to work from home. From reports, you can say that the pandemic exposes the profound weaknesses and causes alarming panic in many countries previously seen as organised and the superpowers (aka God’s own nations). As a result, many people lost their jobs even in those powerful countries. Schools, universities, laboratories, markets, factories, and businesses were all closed, places of work and worship across the world were abruptly shut.

Consequently, different governments and policymakers have realised how vulnerable conventional job systems are. Thus, they are implementing strategies and gradually understanding the need for robust, better approaches to tackle these unprecedented changes. Policymakers have recommended and implemented novel ideas to impact schools, business owners, and entrepreneurs in countries affected by this negative development to make the economy viable and uphold the economic stability of their citizens.

For instance, several schools and universities have switched to remote instruction, in other words, digital learning. Due to the compelling need for endurance, human beings are social creatures who resiliently adapt and quickly learn to familiarise themselves with any given circumstances. People with different essential skills grabbed advantages from the emergent changes. They include but are not limited to computer skills that allow you to carry out remote jobs–working from non-typical office space. Besides, they are the kinds of do-it-yourself skills; they are not the specific skills you can learn from the traditional vocational training school. Suppose the government has plans to train people in such specialisation through vocational training school. In that case, it is a potential task and could easily invigorate people’s economic stability and prepare youth for the path of independence.

Here are a few examples of remote jobs that you can do from any place: (a) Computer programming/Coding; (b) Web development/design and Android or iOS developer; (c) Data science; (d) Content writing, copywriting, copyediting, transcription, and translation; (e) Graphic design; (f) Digital marketing; (g) Video editing; and Virtual assistant, and so forth. Of course, these jobs existed before COVID-19. However, they took a new turn and became enormously popular since the onset of the outbreak, thanks to their necessity and worth in our everyday lives. Thus, the everlasting need cannot be trammelled.

And every person who has no prior computer science/technology diploma or degree can master these skills. It does not matter whether or not one is from science or non-science-based disciplines. All you need is an android/iOS phone, while some require a desktop or laptop computer. Above all, you also require determination in learning and mastering any of these skills. And the good thing is, they are now taught in many online learning platforms for free or for a cost as either certified short courses or nano-degree programs.

The paid access courses are not very expensive if you compare them with the value of what you will learn and its advantages afterwards. Sponsored by the tech giant companies and other government sectors like Microsoft, Google, European Commission, and Universities, platforms such as Udacity, Udemy, FutureLearn, and Coursera offer massive open online courses (free).

YouTube is similarly often graded as the best platform for learning anything; you can use the platform to learn any skill you wish. So if you are a book person, look for the best ones in your field, learn, and practice. Even some establishments from Nigeria are taking part in this skills acquisition training program for the youths, but you hardly see these opportunities discussed in northern Nigeria’s cyberspace. Recently, I encountered another scholarship announcement for a Nanodegree scholarship in many essential skills in varieties of disciplines, which Access Bank, Nigeria will sponsor.

Dr Najib Ahmad is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Shandong University, China. He can be contacted via namuhammad03@gmail.com.

ByAdmin

33 thought on “Skills Beyond School (I)”
  1. Great! I like your suggestion-like style, blaming doesn’t always encourage. Our youths have different skills, the only problem is that they didn’t recognise those skills, because nobody tell them that what they have are also skills, they had been pushing away from their innate capabilities by telling them that they’re “lazy” holding only certificate without any skill. While some can master an event efficiently, some can teach competently, some can do translation, some can create a story, some can set phones and whatnot. Our youths have prospects, let someone help them recognise them in a more positive manner.
    Thanks.

    1. Absolutely! The article attempts to bridge over those gaps and enlighten youths to second thought their choices at the right time and choose the best path.

      Thank you for your input.

    2. You’ve said it all! Our northern youths need guidance to align with the 21st century digital skills acquisition. Blaming doesn’t always work but rather discourages. We should always learn the art of motivation with some kind of persuasive approach in order to help them discover their hidden talents.

  2. Sir, I have read this wonderful article from the begining up to the end. it was very interested indeed you have highlighted very important points in this write-up. Only Almighty will reward you. More elbow!!!

    1. Thank you Dr for the inside.
      I would love to know more about the Acces Bank scholarship.

  3. I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about, besides homework…Thank you vry so much my Teacher my pride @BUK.

  4. Ma sha Allah. I discussed something like this in Hausa with youths in my locality recently. We are actually in need of out of school skills in order to at least reduce or exterminate unemployment rate in Northern Nigeria.

  5. A great read but Dr. should have at least provided a link on the Access bank program to enable those interested in it to apply.

  6. This is very good observation We wll encourage our younger ones to become self dependent not reliable on government to provide job for them.

  7. Sight! What a thought-provoking piece! The amazing thing is, all these skills can be learn freely. I do believe that, a massive awareness ought to be lunched to redirect the mindset of our teaming youths to skills acquisition.

    1. Yes, of course, the majority of the much-required skills are not for pay. The problem is not knowing how to get and use them. I believe the article will probably change the story.

  8. Well composed, good to every Nigerian citizen and a piece of advice to the government and those who are reliable on government to get them jobs.
    Big thumb up!

  9. MashaAllah our friend for this wonderful contribution to us, we peoples of Diso wishing you all the best in your lives. Thanks Dr .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.