FIXING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN AFRICA, REQUIRES SKILL DEVELOPMENT
By: Foundational Network Africa
Tags: Unemployment, Africa, Youth Development, Job Creation, Skills Development

Dear Leader,

It is an undeniable fact that employment rates in Africa have been on the declining side, rather than increasing. Current statistics show that most countries in Africa have experienced an increase in youth unemployment, most especially in the year 2020 during the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, Nigeria is at the top of this list.

Times have changed, and so have the systems we were born into. The systems that taught us to focus on our studies and get good grades, assuring us of opportunities beyond our wildest dreams. Gone are the days when first-class students had representatives from companies waiting at their convocation grounds just to offer them a place in the workforce. Now, we have Universities pouring out hundreds of students each year into the society with no available means of building their lives or even making use of the certificates they studied hard to earn. Education is important, but education alone is no longer enough. Pre-colonially, Africans were known to be successful as a result of their innovative ventures, like; weaving, farming, winemaking, dancing, wood carving, blacksmithing, etc. There was no lack of employment because everyone had something they were doing, everyone had skills they were learning, and together they took care of the community, growing and increasing. They created their own job opportunities.

Formal education, other than teaching something new, is meant to help one build on what they already have passion for, and that is as far as it goes. Africa has something to its advantage, it has education and a history of raising young skillful men and women. The likes of Teresa Mbagaya, Adenike Ogunjesi, Fred Swaniker, and many more. These men and women found success in doing the things they had a passion for, skills they had learned to nurture over time.

To curb unemployment, it is important that learning institutions not only prioritize formal learning but also include informal creative and innovative learning that positions students not just for the world of work but as job creators. Skills have become the new gold as the workforce has gone beyond searching for traditional skills but have taken a step further searching for people who possess the 21st-century skills such as;

Collaboration and teamwork

Creativity and imagination

Critical thinking

Problem-solving

Flexibility and adaptability

Global and cultural awareness

Information literacy

Leadership

Civic literacy and citizenship

Oral and written communication skills

Social responsibility and ethics

Technology literacy

Initiative

It may seem as though the burden of skills development lays on the shoulders of the Government or learning institutions but the truth is, as young people we play a crucial role in taking a step towards learning and inculcating these skills, don’t wait to be told, times have changed, stay abreast on new developments in your sector of study, learn

With this, it is evident to say that we are the change we seek. It is time we stopped depending on a system that has long failed us, and build new systems for ourselves. Systems that encourage skill acquisition and development. Let us go back to our roots, and become the change-makers that we want to see. Develop yourself, and create the opportunities you expect to see tomorrow.

At Foundational Network Africa, we are committed to advancing innovative skills in young people, we develop and implement programs for Africans on Leadership and Lifeskills, Digital, Literacy, STEM, Employability, and Entrepreneurship Skill Development Programs.

You can visit http://foundationalnetworkafrica.com.ng/ for more information.