By Christiana Abogunrin
With unemployment in Nigeria standing at 33.3% as of Q4 2020, it’s clear that the traditional career path of obtaining a degree and seeking a job is no longer sufficient. Students must take charge of their future by shifting their mindset from job-seeking to job-creating. This is the clarion call made during the seminar “Create a Job, Rather Than Seek One,” organized by the W2O Foundation in partnership with Lagos State University on December 2.
The seminar, aimed at empowering Nigerian female undergraduates for a sustainable future, graciously included male students as well. It featured inspiring guest speakers who passionately argued for the necessity of entrepreneurship, not just as a career path but as a mindset.
The Problem: A Failing Job Market
Year after year, thousands of Nigerian graduates flood the job market, only to face stiff competition for scarce employment opportunities. The education system has traditionally emphasized earning degrees and securing jobs rather than fostering creativity and problem-solving. This outdated model has left many students with the misconception that their education ends when they land a job.
However, education should be a tool for transformation—both personal and societal. Students need to recognize this and pivot toward creating opportunities, not just for themselves but for others.
The Solution: Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship isn’t just for the business-savvy; it’s for anyone who can identify a problem and develop a solution. As one speaker at the seminar noted, leaders are not born but made, and the same applies to entrepreneurs. With knowledge and determination, students can cultivate the skills needed to innovate and lead.
Entrepreneurs solve pressing issues while creating sustainable futures for themselves and their communities. For instance, tech startups in Nigeria, such as Paystack and Flutterwave, were born out of identifying gaps in financial services and providing solutions. These companies are now global success stories, proving that students have the potential to drive similar change.
A Call to Action
Nigerian students must dare to dream differently. They must be intentional about creating their futures by taking the first steps toward entrepreneurship. Whether it’s leveraging technology, solving local challenges, or innovating within their fields of study, the possibilities are endless.
The future isn’t something to wait for—it’s something to create. Students must move beyond the mindset of earning a degree and finding a job. Instead, they should embrace the opportunity to be changemakers, innovators, and leaders in their own right. The nation’s future depends on it.