About 50 – 56% of the youth population is unemployed. This statics is alarming since it essentially implies that for every two youths in Nigeria, one of them is not employed. Gbenga Sesan came to the ICT Radio Show on Nigeria Info 99.3 FM and talked to CFA on how the country can create digital jobs for her people.
Gbenga Sesan maintains that rest of the world, such as India, Ghana, Philippines and Bangladesh, has been active in creating digital jobs for their teeming youth population. In fact, Ghana is on a project to create an ICT center worth over 20million dollars which will act like a digital jobs headquarters for Africa
He also opines that Nigeria has been making digital progress towards digital jobs technology, but we haven’t reached our prime. This is in spite of Nigeria being a veritable ground for job creation both online and offline.
Online jobs are an excellent way for young people to make money by applying their knowledge and skills. Since the job does not require physical space and indulgence, it can also be a fitting supplement for a regular 9-5 job, Gbenga Sesan maintains.
Skills required
Digital jobs range from Virtual assistants, technology jobs, writing, editing and researcher among many others. These jobs mostly depend on possession of the right skills. It is amazing to note that attending tertiary institutions of education is not a prerequisite to get these jobs.
Everyday skills are put into practical application. It is only required that the person can solve the problem and deliver accordingly.
Gbenga Sesan noted that at a point, Nigerians applied for online jobs with the hope that it was an easier alternative to conventional employment. Most of them, nonetheless, quit after they realized that skills were required and realized they had to work hard.
Gbenga Sesan says that at doroJobs.com, Nigerians can sign up for digital jobs and training. This is an example of homegrown platforms that work towards upholding jobs in the nation. It also serves as motivation for young people through positive peer pressure.
Young people, therefore, have to realize that relying on the system only will simply not work to the best of their interests. They, therefore, must learn to pick up new skills and utilize them in order to make a decent living online.