Educationally elite individuals, such as Master's and PhD holders, are now operating as taxi drivers, according to Government Otu's advice to Nigerian youths about acquiring future-oriented skills.
In a recent address, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State highlighted the growing trend among Nigerian youths to pursue innovative and technical jobs, moving away from conventional academic qualifications. The governor expressed his delight at this shift and urged the youth to focus on emerging opportunities in space technology and other tech-driven skills.
This shift in focus is evident in various initiatives and programs that cater to the needs of the modern job market. For instance, NIGCOMSAT, Nigeria’s Communications Satellite organization, is actively engaging youth through Regional Space-Tech Hackathons and VSAT training programs. These events empower startups, local innovators, and university students to create solutions to real-world problems using satellite and space-based technologies.
Similarly, the Gen AI Fellowship 2025 offers young Nigerians specialized, hands-on training in artificial intelligence engineering and AI development. This fellowship provides technical skills like machine learning, cloud deployment, and frontend AI app development, accompanied by mentorship, stipends, and pathways to internships or jobs.
Parallel to space and AI, initiatives like the Oando Foundation Green Youth Upskilling Program prepare youths for technical roles in the green economy, emphasizing renewable energy, sustainable farming, and climate tech.
Governor Otu, speaking at a closing ceremony of a five-day intensive training programme for 200 youths, emphasized the importance of practical and innovative skills over paper qualifications. He encouraged the participants to leverage their new skills to position themselves for the future and to work hard to secure quick money when degrees do not provide the desired jobs.
The governor lamented the shrinking job market and its impact on Nigerian graduates, stating that there are many Master's and PhD holders without jobs. He believes this shift towards tech-driven skills is necessary to address the growing unemployment rate among highly educated Nigerians.
Governor Otu commended the training initiative as critical for creating alternative economic pathways for Nigerian youths. He encouraged them to continue their hard work and to strive for productivity and self-reliance in today's digital economy.
In summary, Nigerian youths are increasingly encouraged and empowered to acquire specialized skills in space technology, AI, and green tech through hands-on, mentorship-driven programs, marking a strategic move away from conventional academic pathways towards tech-enabled entrepreneurship and innovation careers. This shift caters to unemployment challenges, promotes inclusive economic growth, and aligns Nigeria’s youth development strategies with global technology trends.
- Governor Bassey Otu applauded the Gen AI Fellowship 2025, a program that offers AI engineering and development training to youths in Nigeria.
- NIGCOMSAT, Nigeria's Communications Satellite organization, is engaging youth through Regional Space-Tech Hackathons and VSAT training programs.
- The Oando Foundation Green Youth Upskilling Program is preparing youths for technical roles in the green economy, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable farming, and climate tech.
- Governor Otu expressed concern about the shrinking job market and its impact on Nigerian graduates, suggesting that tech-driven skills are needed to address the growing unemployment rate among highly educated Nigerians.
- Parallel to space and AI, the governor commended the training initiative as crucial for creating alternative economic pathways for Nigerian youths.
- The governor emphasized the importance of practical and innovative skills over paper qualifications, urging participants in the training program to leverage their new skills to position themselves for future opportunities.
- The shift towards tech-driven skills caters to unemployment challenges, promotes inclusive economic growth, and aligns Nigeria’s youth development strategies with global technology trends.
