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Knowledge Exchange Centre (KEC) in collaboration with Ford Foundation and the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment has called on the Nigerian youths to acquire 21st century skills that will prepare them for future workplace and entrepreneurship.
The event which was conducted to tackle employment issues among fresh university graduates in the country recognised the need for young people to prepare themselves for the world of work in the face of challenges.
The experts say that while growing automation of processes and use of technology in the work place will lead to job losses, youths who have equipped themselves with the skills organisations are looking for, will remain relevant in the future workplace.
Charles Nwodo, founder, KEC, said the impact of technology on the economy is undeniable but only people with the skills and resources to use technology and create value can thrive in the 21st century future work place.
“Artificial intelligence, robotics and other forms of smart automation are major disruptions that impact the employment landscape and youths need to prepare for this future work,” Nwodo said.
He noted that new high-skill jobs are emerging, while other jobs may be displaced by automation and new technologies.
These momentous changes, he said, raise huge organisational talent and human resources challenges.
Nwodo expressed fear that youths are not making efforts to improve themselves competitively in the face of the disrupting impact of technology on employment opportunities.
As the types of jobs that constitute a modern economy continue to evolve, he said there is a need to upgrade skills required to do them.
Also speaking at the event, Innocent Chukwuma, regional director, Ford Foundation West Africa, said, “We believe in preparing youths for the life ahead because human capital is the most sustainable resource any nation can have— not oil, gold and diamond—because they are all finite resources that will surely come to an end.”
He urged youths to ensure that they succeed in their ventures despite that the country and society have failed to provide them the needed support to thrive.
“There is a lot to say about how much Nigeria and the society we live in have failed us but we cannot afford to fail ourselves as individuals. We need to better prepare ourselves for that future.”
Maria Glover, executive secretary, KEC, called on the federal government to develop a national strategy to help position youths in the country to take advantage of major disruptions such as globalisation, technology and migration.
Glover advised youths to always have the attitude to learn and unlearn what have been learnt in the past, adding that with this they would not be left behind in the future work place.
In her speech, Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, commissioner, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, said that unemployed youth and employees can only be ready for the future work when they possess the right skills needed to be relevant at present and future workplace.
“The skills needed to survive on jobs are far from what people learnt while schools, meaning that degrees are no longer sufficient to be indispensable at work,” Yussuf, who was represented by Ganiyat bidemi Raji, permanent secretary of the ministry, said.
Josephine Okojie
