Experts see enterprise challenge option in education as key to curb unemployment

The prevalence of unemployment, underemployment, high competition in the labour market and the frustration of job seekers cannot be overemphasised. This, therefore, has created the need for re-orientation of undergraduates from being job seekers to job-creators.

In Nigeria and indeed other parts of the world, youths represent over 70 percent of the population and it has been observed that one of the greatest challenges bedeviling developing countries is the issue of unemployment among the most productive sections of the population.

While the situation may appear to have intensified in recent time, especially in Nigeria, there has been a serious clamour for a workable integration of entrepreneurship education into the curriculum of the nation’s schools to stem the tide of unemployment among youths in the country.

The harsh economic realities in the country today notwithstanding, not a few education watchers are still confident that given the right kind of training, upcoming generations of graduates when given proper orientation and entrepreneurial education can become successful job creators rather than job seekers.

It was therefore heartwarming to see that concerned organisations that have the interest of Nigerian youths at heart have taken up the challenges. One of such organisation is the British Council which in partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways and Zenith Bank is organising an enterprise challenge, an online competition designed to showcase innovative, creative and entrepreneurial skills in Nigeria youths between the ages of 18 and 35.

Adetomi Soyinka, Regional manager, Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan, British Council while commenting about the competition pointed out that among the traits of any person ready to succeed as an entrepreneur must include hard work, self confidence, goal-oriented; and persistent, committed and demonstration of initiative which the competition seeks to promote.

Soyinka disclosed that the idea behind the competition centers around how 100 participants drawn from Nigeria and United Kingdom will compete for the opportunity to win flight tickets to the UK on Virgin Atlantic Airways and an opportunity to meet and be mentored by one the UK’s foremost entrepreneurs and Chairman of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson.

According to her, “The competition is set up to run over a 5 week period and in involves stages where candidate’s individual strengths like communication skills, innovativeness and creativity are tested.

“We are testing for communication skills among candidates because they have to be able to communicate and put their ideas across where the judges shortlisting would buy into the idea they are trying to sell”.

Soyinka further stressed that there is a need for more private sector to get involved in entrepreneurial development for todays youths.  “We have being at several forum where it has being identified that there is the need for more conversation between the private sector , government and tertiary institutions to ensure that the appropriate skills needed in a workplace are taught in Schools ”, she said.

Brain Wilson, director education, British Council on his part reiterated that British Council since coming to Nigeria have worked closely with universities to create opportunities that would equip Nigeria students with skills requires to thrive in the 21st century workplace.

According to him, “We are very interested in encouraging young people to create something different for them and we believe education play a big part, we believe that engaging young people by giving them mentors would put them in the right track to succeed.”

On her part, Rachel Coffey, country manager, Virgin Atlantic Airways disclosed that young people are the future of Nigeria and making sure they have the right investment in education is actually important to the future of Nigeria.

Coffey noted that students today are the leaders of tomorrow and they are integral to the country’s development “With Nigeria being recognised as one of the leading nations, it therefore important that skills in education are effective to be able to prepare them for the future challenges”  

She revealed that Nigeria market plays a key role in Virgin Atlantic’s network, adding that for 30 years the company’s business have revolved around connecting people whether they are travelling for business or education.

“We are really excited about this opportunity to meet with Nigeria students and invest in them through this competition, we not only ensure they have the education and skills that is why we are keen on this competition because it would provide mentorship for them”, she added.   

 

KELECHI EWUZIE