Bridging the Gap: The Nigerian Students Acquiring Digital Skills to Boost Economic Empowerment

With the growing youth population in Nigeria, Olusegun Joe-Alabi, a 300-level student at the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria, believes that the traditional model of waiting for jobs after graduation is no longer sustainable. So, he started acquiring marketable skills in the early days of his undergraduate studies. 

Olusegun stressed that Nigeria’s growth hinges on shifting from a job-based economy to a skill-based one. By focusing on acquiring in-demand skills like programming, digital marketing, or data analysis, individuals can boost their employability and help reduce unemployment rates.

With the help of technology, he has gained hands-on experience in software development, collaborated with international teams, and worked on building products that meet global standards.

“Technology has played a pivotal role in both my career development and meeting my needs as a student,” Olusegun said. “One key aspect that stands out is the practical knowledge of collaborating with international teams and brands, where I have worked on building products that meet global standards.”

He added that if more students are encouraged to acquire skills and embrace entrepreneurship,  it can have a profound impact on Nigeria’s economy as they will be self-sufficient and contribute to the local economy by offering valuable services. 

Unemployment in Nigeria

Unemployment is one of the major challenges affecting the country’s youth and fresh graduates. The situation is further complicated by the rising cost of living, which has made it necessary for many Nigerians to have multiple sources of income to make ends meet.

Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased marginally to 5.3% in Q1 2024 from 5% in Q3 2023, with females recording a higher unemployment rate of 6.2 per cent compared to males at 4.3 per cent.

According to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics, in urban areas, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.0 per cent, while rural unemployment stood at 4.3 per cent.

With hundreds of higher institutions producing graduates annually, the job market is highly competitive, and many graduates are left without employment opportunities. The question remains whether the employment quota will be truly available for Nigerians to double their income sources. While there are efforts to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment, more needs to be done to address the underlying issues driving unemployment in Nigeria.

Bridging the gap

Like Olusegun, Faderera Akere, a student of Bayero University Kano (BUK) said her engagement in tech skills has not only improved her corporate communication skills but also connected her to other young developers’ communities across Africa.

“Holding tech knowledge has been an eye-opener for me as a student,” the back-end developer said. “Though building a career in tech while in school is not easy, it is worth the effort, as it serves as a shed after graduation.”

She added that the emergence of tech skills has created a new notion that building a career path does not start after university graduation but during tertiary education. 

Similarly, Philip Kayode, a 300-level student at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), defied the odds by landing a graduate-specific job as a freshman.  As a software engineer, his expertise in programming earned him a role as an engineer at a startup company despite being a first-year student. 

Philip’s journey to becoming a professional software engineer began with a passion for programming. During the ASUU strike, he utilised the time to hone his skills in building web applications and exploring game development. His dedication paid off, and he graduated from a free boot camp, further solidifying his expertise.

“Since then, I have been a backend engineer as I work on blockchain apps, bank apps and a Learning Management System (LMS) application. From there on, I was able to cater for my needs while still studying in school,” Phillips said.

The young man’s story is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. As he aptly puts it, “Tech is one of the big interests in today’s world, a lot of people are in this space currently, but it takes focus and consistency to be outstanding.”

More success story

In the same vein, Bashir Imam, a student of the Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State, has also leveraged opportunities beyond the classroom to build her career. Through various technology communities, the cybersecurity professional has gathered open-source intelligence and open-source security experience, earning stipends and leadership roles while under mentorship.

“Tech provided me with opportunities to offer services and values that earned me stipends and allowed me to take many leadership roles while under mentorship.”

Speaking on the emergence of technology and its role in students’ growth, a digital skill coach and tech expert, Samuel Tomori, said while formal education provides a foundation, the rapidly evolving nature of technology often outpaces academic curricula. 

“The experience gained in schools, though valuable, is rarely sufficient to fully prepare students for the demands of the labour market. The gap between academic knowledge and practical industry requirements necessitates additional hands-on experience.”