Her dream of a good life was about becoming a reality. So with joy, she broke the good news to friends and families who felicitated with her. For the very first time, she felt appreciated after receiving her first salary. And then came the day she would never forget in a hurry, precisely July 21, 2021, barely six months on the job, her world came tumbling.
After many years of struggling for survival, and with the possibility of getting a paid job fading away, Festus explained that she was tempted to falsify her age. Festus, like other Nigerian graduates over 25 years of age, is bearing the pain and frustration the government has been unable to deal with.
Thirty-year-old Jerome Bemana, who graduated from a university last year, said he had yet to get a job. “I have been in the labour market for a year now. I have been struggling to get job offers. It is challenging as I have not been able to get government jobs. The only job opportunities are from private firms or companies.
“So, where do they want me to get five years’ experience from when I have just graduated from the university? Why can’t these employers employ us when they know that it is not our fault but in most cases the economic challenges faced by many have brought about the delay. It is frustrating. I feel dejected sometimes. I am just managing the little business I am currently running but it does not give me joy because I have always seen myself as a career person.
Also, the number of unemployed individuals in the country has hit 23m, a report by Jobberman in collaboration with Young Africa Works and Mastercard Foundation has shown. In the report titled, ‘Unmasking the Barriers to Women’s Participation in Nigeria’s Labour Market,’ Jobberman stated that Nigeria’s active population was 122mn out of a total population of over 200mn.
Nigerians have criticised so many corruption-related practices associated with getting employment in government establishments. For instance, there have been allegations of government officials and top civil servants demanding huge amounts of money from job seekers.
“I do not even have money to bribe anyone because the money paid by most companies at entry level is meagre compared to the economy of the country. I believe I have the strength and energy that equal my discipline. I now stay at home and take care of my aunt’s child for N20,000.”