ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A PANACEA FOR NIGERIA’S YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT.

The scenes and events of Saturday (15/March/2014) shows that there is a need for our leaders and the formulators of our national polities to reflect and provide suitable alternatives for Nigeria. It is evident from the scenes and numbers of deaths recorded from the Immigration aptitude test that there is no plan for the average Nigerian:  especially the youths. One is left wondering if the President’s numerous advisers actual provide him with detailed facts and statistics glaring showing how his policies and plans have had no meaningful impact on the Nigerian youths and it proves his government lacks foresight and are not in touch with the realities and issues the Nigerian man lives through daily. My intention is not to ridicule the ‘good’ president’s initiatives and map plan but to raise awareness to the issues affecting the young and unemployed people of this country and provide a useful remedy to the scourge of unemployment and poverty destroying the unemployed, young and poor people whose mandate he is representing.

Inviting thousands of people to write a test for a job which only needs two thousand (2,000) people is not only ludicrous, absurd and wicked, it is the most irresponsible decision ever taken. Was it really necessary to ask all of these people to write a test because they all paid a thousand naira which will end up been embezzled by an ‘Oga at the top’ to fund his/her numerous trivialities and vanities? Obviously, the human resources (HR)/personnel department (if it even exists) of the Nigerian Immigration is either incompetent or a lame excuse of a department created to embezzle and siphon tax payer’s funds. The Nigerian Immigration’s HR has no HR planning and no clear-cut recruitment and selection process. Therefore, because of the deaths of innocent Nigerians who are someone else’s children, mothers, fathers, siblings and spouses and a bitter heart that I ask for the resignation (as it is done in most advanced countries) of the minister of interior and the Head of Immigration as it is evident that they cannot lead this government institution.

Having explained the issues which act as the prelude for this article, my intention is to proffer a useful antidote to this cankerworm destroying our society and turning our future leaders (If they ever get the chance) into jobless and unemployed people. Entrepreneurship is the solution and the only viable option to help Nigeria in eradicating this problem affecting its youths. Being and entrepreneur goes beyond living a hoax life involving allusions of facades. Rather, it is about dreaming about an idea, building that idea, and turning it into a business (no matter the amount of trials and obstacles) into a profitable avenue which provides the means of livelihood for the entrepreneur and his/her staff.  Being an entrepreneur is seeing an opportunity in what everyone else believes it’s a waste of time and energy. It is about passion, commitment and dedication to your idea despite numerous challenges which are permanent fixture of every business idea.

If entrepreneurship is very stressful and without no straight route to success, why should anyone aspire to be one and how will this actually change unemployment in Nigeria? My claim that entrepreneurship is the way forward for Nigeria is a result of been one and starting from scratch without any funding from anyone and reaching enviable heights with my idea. Furthermore, the joy of owning your business goes beyond the pain and guilt of stealing billions of tax payer’s monies. Therefore, the government needs to do more and dedicate more resources and funds into skills acquisitions for Nigerian youths and also making entrepreneurship part of the Nigerian education syllabus or curriculum from Primary to University education. A country with a high number of entrepreneurs is a self-sufficient country whose citizens can sustain its economy and produce its basic needs. A closer look at the economies of most advanced and developed countries will indicate a high number of entrepreneurs who financial dealings and investments have been the sustaining elements of these countries. Why then is Nigeria different and what can be done?

The Nigerian situation starts from ignoring young people without any plan towards making their issues a priority of national plans and polity while integrating them into decision making is a no show. Hence, the things which will make them prosper and become active and prosperous are diverted for selfish gains and personal aggrandisement.  The government continues to sponsor different national jamborees which are used as avenues to loot public funds which could have been used to set up purposeful entrepreneurship agencies or organizations to boost creativity and independence amongst Nigerian youths. Rather, the monies are spent on frivolities like the Sovereign National Convention (SNC) where it is been rumoured that each delegate will be paid a sum of twelve million (12,000,000) Naira spread into four Million (4,000,000) naira monthly on accommodation. To digress a little, the SNC will surely provide employment. However, the employment will be for those working in the oldest profession in human history who will be strutting their different endowments on the streets of the hotels/accommodations of these delegates and their aides.

The funds budgeted for this unnecessary jamboree and the so called ‘Missing’ NNPC funds can actually empower millions of youths into successful entrepreneurs. The bane for most entrepreneurs is capital and funding. Invariably, if the Nigerian government decides to invest into its abundant human capital, I foresee a Nigeria where independence, pride in people’s handwork and hard work becomes a prominent feature of our society. 

My plea with Nigeria youths is that we should move from been dependent on the government and our families and accept responsibilities for our mistakes and present situation. We need to face this issue squarely and start something no matter how little it is. Hard work, perseverance, determination and belief should be our mantra and driving force. We will make it if we try. The future is now, decide wisely.

Ojimaojo Achema

Lagos.