Omuwa Odiodio on Navigating Career Challenges for Young Nigerians

A significant concern in Nigeria's professional landscape, according to Omuwa Odiodio, is the diminishing capacity for young individuals to simply dream about their future careers. When dreams do form, they often remain unrealised aspirations, unable to translate into tangible life outcomes. Odiodio shares personal experiences from job hunting, illustrating the intense and unpredictable nature of this process in the country.

Typically, Nigerians commence university around seventeen, directly after secondary school, assuming successful admission. However, gaining entry might mean a later start at eighteen or nineteen, and often not into a preferred course. A change of course could add one or two more years, pushing the timeline further.

Furthermore, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strikes are a common disruption, extending a standard four-year degree to six years or more. Graduates who should have finished by twenty-one or twenty-two might only do so by twenty-four, twenty-five, or even later. The mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) then follows, meaning many enter the job market between twenty-five and twenty-seven.

This is where a notable paradox emerges.

Many companies are hesitant to hire recent graduates without prior training. Graduate trainee programmes are a common avenue, but these often have age caps, typically set at twenty-five or twenty-six.

The Nigerian system appears to deliberately delay young people throughout their educational journey, only to then disqualify them from entry-level positions due to age. This forces many into difficult choices, such as venturing into business without adequate preparation or accepting roles significantly below their capabilities, careers that lack structure, advancement prospects, or long-term potential.

This is the predicament faced by numerous young Nigerians – a system that prolongs their youth while penalising them for the time it takes.

By spending a substantial portion of their twenties in a state of waiting—for admission, for academic disruptions to end, for graduation, for NYSC, for job callbacks, or for an opportunity—individuals can inadvertently lose their belief in the possibility of achieving anything.

Consequently, aspirations are often revised. Instead of asking, "What do I genuinely aspire to become?", the question shifts to "What can I manage? What can I endure?" This fundamentally alters the trajectory of one's life.

Many young Nigerians might not fully grasp how much of their twenties is spent in various waiting rooms, both literal and figurative. This could explain the restlessness, impatience, or desperation for rapid success observed in many. Without careful management, this situation can be driven by either greed or fear—the fear of being consumed by time if progress isn't made swiftly.

However, for young Nigerians and those to come, the advice is to commence practical career preparation the moment they enter university. When the system is slow, unpredictable, and frequently unjust, the only element within one's control is the timing of self-preparation. Seek internships, volunteer, and collaborate with innovative and resourceful individuals. Crucially, remain proactive.

More importantly, expand your perspective beyond your immediate surroundings. Cultivate a global outlook on your career path. The internet has dismantled many traditional barriers, enabling work for international companies, learning from individuals you may never meet in person, and acquiring skills that are highly valued beyond the local job market. This requires awareness, curiosity, and a readiness to explore opportunities globally.

Many young people are conditioned to focus only on opportunities readily available to them. Therefore, it's essential to ask broader questions: What skills are in high demand worldwide? Which industries are experiencing growth? What challenges are being addressed in other parts of the world? Where can your expertise be applied beyond your immediate locale or even your country?

Adopting a global vision significantly expands available options, which in turn helps dreams to take shape. In an ideal system, young people would be free to dream first and then navigate the practicalities. However, within the current Nigerian context, dreaming must be pursued concurrently with diligent preparation.

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