Since March last year, students of various institutions of higher learning have been home on account of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. The situation was worsened by the industrial action by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). While attempts have been made by many of the institutions to go virtual in their learning activities, it has been largely ineffective as a result of many factors ranging from poor technology penetration to inability of many indigent students to afford good phones and pay for the huge data demand involved.
However, while many of the affected undergraduates are “rotting away” at home, a situation that now gives their parents serious concern; some undergraduates have however, been able to think out of the box by creating opportunity out of a bad situation.
Thanks to some parents who have been able to pay for their children (students) to acquire some skills, while waiting for school resumption.
For Isaac Ukpoju, a Lafia-based father, sending children to learn skills is not an alternative to formal education, but a way to positively engage them in the unfortunate idle period.
“In today’s world, it is not all about the qualification you have. The skills you learn will determine how far you will go,” Ukpoju said.
In the course of the strike, Eric Matthew Kuju, an undergraduate student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, enrolled in a programme at the International School of Journalism in Lafia.
“Thankfully, the journalism school was not affected by the ASUU strike, and I was able to complete two semesters. So what we are left with now is to complete the mandatory research work and submit our project. So, within the period of the strike I will get an additional certificate, which is very important to me because of my interest in journalism,” Kuju said.
Also, during the lockdown, Favour David, a student of Government Secondary School (GSS) Tudun Gwandara, Lafia, acquired skills in POS business and has since been busy with his small business than staying idle at home.
“I am proud to say that I can start any business on my own now. I think with this I am happy because I have something I have achieved in the course of the pandemic,” David said.
Princess Kelechi, a final year student at the University of Abuja studying English Education told BusinessDay that she is now a baker and is already making some money for herself because she was able to acquire baking skills during the strike and the lockdown.
“When the strike started, I was so hopeful that it would be called off soon, but when I saw that there was no hope anymore, I quickly enrolled for a baking class, because I have a passion for it.
“I am a proud baker today, the business has been good, I have graduated from the class and I am already having some customers and referrals. I hope to get better on the job so that I can explore even more,” she said.
Mercy Amos, a final year Business Administration student of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, engaged in online courses and improved her writing skills. Amos said she has written two scripts, which she intends to sell and already have interested buyers.
“So, I took an online course to improve my literature skills. I have written two scripts, which I want to sell to movie producers, and some experts who read them commended them. I am also working on a book. I don’t know if I should say that I am grateful for the strike, which many people have condemned. If after school I don’t get a job tomorrow, I have something to fall back to “, she said.
But Nnamdi Amadi, an undergraduate, regretted wasting the lockdown and strike period without learning a skill.
“I wish I had learnt a skill all through those months that have now wasted. My colleague improved his barbing skill and has even opened a saloon during the strike, it happened so fast.
“I was just hopeful that the strike would not last and the lockdown discouraged me, but I wish I had improved myself like my mates,” Amadi decried.
Chidima Offor, a 400-level Law student of Abia State University, who learnt makeup during the strike, told BDSUNDAY that the skills she acquired have alleviated the fear of unemployment after graduation.
“Two months into the strike, I felt wasted and frustrated but then I recalled it wasn’t the first time ASUU would embark on a long strike. My mother sells makeup and she encouraged me to learn makeup professionally. I paid hugely to acquire the skill. I learnt for just three months and started my own brand. Right now, I can proudly say I have made up eight brides, charging over N50,000 for each. “Right now, I have a sense of independence,” Offor said.
Eugene Oni, a student of the University of Ado-Ekiti, used the opportunity to learn videography and presently earn money from it.
“When the strike began, due to uncertainty of when it would be called off, I just decided to learn a digital skill. Everything has gone digital, so I sought for a place I can fit in. Right now, online businesses consult me for short videos and I am making good money out of it”, Oni said.
Meanwhile, Ene Ochai, a school teacher and single mother, narrated how she supported her first son to get a car, which he used for ride hailing even during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic I wasn’t paid a salary and things became so hard. My first son, Akloh, a student of Nasarawa State University approached me and told me about joining Uber! I didn’t hesitate because he drives. I sold my car, added money and bought a better one for the business. That business was quite helpful for the family,” she said.
Amarachi Sunday, a 100-level student of one of the federal universities, studying Fine and Applied Art, said she has been able to perfect her sewing training with a Lagos State Skills Acquisition Centre.
“I had just gotten admission and in my first semester when we were told to vacate the campus over the Covid-19; then, from the Covid-19 lockdown to the ASUU strike. My mother advised me to quickly enroll with a skills acquisition centre where they train people on sewing. I did. She bought a sewing machine for me and got an experienced person who was coming to the house also to put me through. Today, I can sew perfectly,” she said.
The young woman, who said she is 18 years old, also told our correspondent that “While the forced holiday lingered, I decided to learn how to prepare new dishes. Today, I practically run the affairs of our kitchen to the admiration of my parents, and they enjoy my dishes. For me, it is not all about negatives.”
Today, many institutions of higher learning have included in their curriculum a compulsory course on Entrepreneurship for all undergraduate students, irrespective of course of study. The essence is to prepare the students for the future as the era of white collar jobs may have gone.
