you know is the norm in getting employed, skills acquisition is fast gaining ground. Its either you have the skills to make a living or you do not. There is no way to rigmarole.
As a result, this has become appealing with issues of fuel subsidy removal and increasing costs of living, Nigerians have become resourceful. People from diverse backgrounds and age groups are recognising the value of acquiring new skills to secure employment, enhance career prospects, and contribute to economic growth.
Many Nigerian youths have increasingly embraced skills acquisition as a means to enhance their self-sufficiency and to stay competitive in the ever-evolving job market. This has led to a surge in enrollment at vocational schools, online courses, and workshops that offer a wide range of skills, from carpentry to plumbing and fashion design. This has helped reduce dependence on ‘white collar’ jobs and government support.
A fashion designer whom I spoke to, Omotolani Okuade, shared how her skills helped her during her university days. “Learning fashion designing was one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. I remember making a lot of money just from adjusting and sewing clothes for my colleagues in school,” she enthused.
“Sometimes I didn’t have to ask my parents for allowances while I was in school, because I had enough money due to my skills. Now that I’m a graduate, I don’t have to worry about hunting for a job, I know for sure that my skill will come through for me as always,” Okuade said.