Bukola Afeni
The Chief Executive Officer of CADsync Consults, Afolake Agunbiade, has called on all Nigerian youths to develop skills such as storytelling, critical thinking, and technology acquisition to be able to perform globally and be high fliers in their career.
She made the disclosure at the Career Acceleration Summit in Abuja. Agunbiade added that storytelling is a leading skill which every individual must possess in the digital world.
“You have to learn to articulate your strengths and weaknesses, tell your own story, and tell it boldly. Critical thinking is also vital, as it enables individuals to make informed decisions and navigate complex situations.”
She emphasized the importance of tech skills, noting that even if you are frying bean balls (akara) by the roadside, you need to understand tech skills.
Agunbiade encouraged young professionals to take charge of their development and leverage technology to access opportunities both locally and globally.
“Nigeria is a giant, even though some may say a sleeping giant, but we have such huge resources if only we make the investment into our growth globally.”
” The employability crisis in Nigeria stems not from a shortage of jobs but from a shortage of qualified candidates with the right mix of technical and soft skills. ”
“Contrary to popular opinion, there are jobs in Nigeria; however, employers often struggle to find the right candidates with skills beyond certificates such as storytelling, communication, decision-making, and critical thinking, which are essential for today’s workplace,” she said.
The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, said the Federal Government is ensuring that young people have the enabling environment for national growth.
The Executive Chairman, who was represented by Olufemi Olarinde, the Head of the Fiscal and Tax Reforms Implementation Division and Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman on Tax Policy, said the organization promotes human capital development and employability among young Nigerians.
He further added that young people must be empowered and productive before they can make tax payments.
“At FIRS, we believe in human capital development, in people, technology, and process. Empowerment of the people is what leads to prosperity. The present government has emphasized that we should be developing the people through taxes,” he said.
A Management consultant, Dr Emmanuel Ideyin said it is very important for every individual to accelerate their career. “Many individuals, either unemployed or currently employed, are not further employable. This has become a challenge to the growth of the economy. “The program is a career acceleration summit, and whether in the public sector or private sector, there is a career path.” He further noted that there is a wide gap in knowledge and skill acquisition.
“For the economy to grow as a nation, you don’t rely on what you have learned and think that is enough. You need to step it up a bit. You need to keep improving on what you know,” he said.
In the same vein, he charged citizens to level up with their money in terms of financial management.
“We are always complaining that money is not enough, and that the salary is not enough, but that is not usually the problem. The skill to manage what you currently have is lacking in most people,” he said.
A participant at the program, Adebayo Flourish, advised young Nigerians to be open to collaboration.
“You should not be an island; be open to networking, and liaise with the right people in your industry.”
She urged everyone to be willing to learn and unlearn and not be static in life.
“If you want to grow, you should also be open to learning from other people and collaborate with them,” she said.
