Nigerian youths must face the reality of an evolving global job market that demands much more than mere academic qualifications.
Industry experts have warned that employers worldwide now prioritise specific skills and practical experience capable of driving organisational goals, boosting the economy, and advancing society.
Stakeholders, including industry leaders, successful entrepreneurs, and professionals, shared these insights during a career training session organised by the Edike Foundation for tertiary institution students over the weekend.
The one-day 2026 Gown to Town event, themed “Beyond the Certificate: Mastering Value Creation”, attracted over 176 participants from multiple campuses across the country.
Represented institutions included Bowen University, Oyo; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; University of Ilorin (UNILORIN); Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE); and the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which hosted the event.
The experts noted that while technological and digital competencies are crucial, human traits like soft skills truly set individuals apart in any professional or personal environment.
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs Feyisayo Alayande, stressed the need for youths to transition from relying entirely on certificates to actively building a value-focused economy.
She emphasised that young people must act as economic drivers who advance nation-building by solving real-world challenges and building sustainable enterprises.
“We have to change how we speak about young Nigerians,” Alayande stated. “They are not merely a demographic challenge, nor are they Nigeria’s problem. Rather, they are the solution. They represent Nigeria’s greatest productive opportunity.”
She explained that LSETF, established to tackle youth unemployment in Lagos State, continues to empower young people to become solution providers.
Recognising that many young citizens do not lack ambition but rather access to opportunities, she noted that the agency’s mandate is built on five pillars: affordable finance, skill acquisition, business support and access to markets, infrastructure, and technology.
Alayande also commended the Edike Foundation for its commitment to knowledge-sharing outside the traditional classroom setting.
Similarly, the CEO of Samper Discens Consulting, Mrs Edememe Oladiji-Wusu, urged students to look beyond certificates as a guarantee for success.
Speaking on “Career Readiness: Becoming a Value Maker in the Real World,” she stated that a degree only serves as a foundation.
“What you really need in the real world of work is value creation and sustainability,” Oladiji-Wusu said. “Value creation is about the societal problems you can solve, which ultimately determines how far you will go as an employee or an entrepreneur. This heavily depends on your skills. I encourage you to leave here with the mindset of a value maker.”
On the sidelines of the event, the convener and Executive Director of the Edike Foundation, Mr Oluwatimilehin Akinola, underscored the training’s importance in providing quality education to drive Africa’s advancement.
He noted that this second edition of the forum serves as an interactive platform bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical labour market demands, allowing students to engage directly with industry leaders.
“We believe our intervention, as part of our corporate social responsibility initiatives, will make a meaningful contribution to the development of Nigeria and Africa as a whole,” Akinola said.
Addressing the surging cultural emphasis on tech startups, Akinola offered a realistic perspective, cautioning graduates against dismissing traditional employment.
“We are here to talk about entrepreneurship, but also about being an employee,” he noted. “There is nothing wrong with working a 9-to-5 job. For entrepreneurs, we want them to know that being a CEO does not mean you have arrived. The journey is about building a business that creates employment and opportunities for others to learn.”
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When asked what corporate organisations look for beyond formal degrees, Akinola—himself an employer—explained that companies are generally willing to train recruits on technical skills if a strong foundational work ethic is present.
“To be honest, we are not looking for anything extraordinary; we are also still learning and expect to teach,” Akinola said. “Diligence is key. Under diligence, you have timeliness, hard work, and commitment. Once we see diligence, we can work on the rest.”
He encouraged participants to discover their core purpose early, noting that personal clarity provides vital direction despite broader socio-economic challenges. He added that while the foundation aims to expand its scope to all educational levels eventually, its current focus remains on undergraduates.
“We want students to understand that there is much more to learn outside the classroom to be truly ready for the future,” he said.
He added that the foundation also provides mentorship and scholarships to indigent students in federal and state government-owned universities.
Participants at the training expressed delight at the opportunity to sharpen their knowledge and skills. Thanking the Edike Foundation for organising the forum, they promised to cascade the valuable insights gained to their peers in their respective home communities.
