As a northerner, I’ll be blunt here.
There are not very many excellent jobs in Nigeria, especially, in the North. And the few ones that are in the public sector? They usually go to the "highly connected” people.
And if you are able to get a place in the few ones that are left, you’ll only be paid a "survival wage." It keeps you afloat, but it won’t build you a future. In fact, with bills and family, it can make you poorer.
If your goal is to move into the middle class, which is the most realistic goal for most of us from humble backgrounds, then your strategy cannot be:
1. Waiting only for public sector jobs.
2. Limiting yourself to just your city or state.
The harsh truth is that unemployment is higher in many northern cities than it is in the south. That means your chances of landing a good job here are slimmer.
As young people, we must be pragmatic in coming up with solutions. I think these 4 practical moves can help:
1. Look to the private sector - While you’re still hoping for government, go hard for private companies. They pay better. They train you faster. They expose you to bigger opportunities.
2. Be mobile - Don’t be fixated on staying in your state or town. Be open to Lagos, Abuja, PH, Kano, anywhere with opportunity. Build yourself there first. When you’ve made it, you can always come back home and give back.
3. Polish your skills - A degree alone won’t pay bills. What problem can you solve? Learn a skill. Tech, sales, logistics, content, trades. Make yourself valuable.
4. Start something small - Having a degree doesn’t mean you must have a 9-5. The goal is to have a source of livelihood. It can be a business, a side hustle, catering, farming, e-business. Start small. Grow it.
Just be out and work hard.
I hope we succeed.
If i ever get layed off I will have to change professions, aint no way I am passing a technical interview these days I barely know how to write a for loop no more
Saudi Arabia had the chance to build 20 hospitals or at least 3 regional universities in Burkina Faso. Instead, they offered 200 mosques. Mosques are cool but at the moment we prefer projects that create real economic growth and uplift our people, regardless of faith.
Please call me Mummy Hafiz ×2. 🤲🏽
Today was an emotional day for me. After three years away from the conventional school system, my two little boys made me incredibly proud.
They sat for an external assessment to certify them as memorizers (Huffaz) of the Holy Qur’an, and Alhamdulillah, they both passed! ❤️
My heart is full of gratitude. Please celebrate with me.
May Allah make the Qur’an the light of our hearts, a guide in our lives, and an intercessor for us on the Day of Judgment. Ameen.