By IDRISU LAMELA
For the average Nigerian secondary school leaver, completing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) often marks the beginning of another difficult journey rather than the start of a promising future. After the excitement of graduation fades, many young people are left to face daunting socio-economic and psychological challenges with little guidance on what lies ahead.
Having completed secondary school, many graduates find themselves solely responsible for determining their next steps. They are thrust into a highly competitive labour market where employment opportunities are scarce, and the familiar ‘No Vacancy’ sign has become an unfortunate symbol of the country’s unemployment crisis.
Unsure of where to turn, many eventually resign themselves to prolonged unemployment, relying on parents and relatives for survival.
This situation raises an important question: should this be the reality for young people in a country where unemployment continues to fuel social vices such as internet fraud, the obsession with quick wealth and other forms of criminality?
Those who are more fortunate often have a clearer pathway. Some proceed directly to programmes such as the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) or university remedial courses before gaining admission into degree programmes. Their career progression is, to a large extent, already mapped out.
However, many of their contemporaries are not so fortunate. Those seeking employment immediately after school frequently have little or no choice regarding the type of work they undertake.
If they secure employment at all, they often accept whatever opportunities become available, regardless of whether the jobs match their interests, talents or abilities. Consequently, many young Nigerians spend years working in occupations for which they possess neither aptitude nor passion, through no fault of their own.
In many developed countries, statutory institutions exist specifically to guide school leavers towards suitable careers. Organisations responsible for career guidance and youth counselling help bridge the gap between education and employment by matching young people’s abilities with available opportunities in the labour market.
These institutions deserve careful study by the Federal Government. Relevant ministries and agencies, particularly those responsible for education, youth development and employment, should consider adapting similar models to suit Nigeria’s socio-economic realities. Such institutions could serve as effective links between the supply of skilled labour and the demands of employers.
Towards the end of every academic session, career guidance officials in many countries visit schools to conduct aptitude tests, career assessments and interviews. These exercises enable students to identify careers that align with their interests, abilities and personalities before leaving school.
The information generated from such assessments also provides governments with valuable data on the country’s future human resource potential. While some students are directed towards universities and specialised training institutions, others receive technical education or are channelled into industries where they can acquire practical skills through structured apprenticeship and on-the-job training programmes.
Such a system ensures that a nation’s human resources are utilised more effectively while also supporting long-term economic planning. Proper workforce planning enables governments to anticipate future manpower requirements and develop educational policies that respond to national priorities.
Nigeria already has institutions that could play a similar coordinating role. The National Manpower Board, for instance, should be strengthened to assess the country’s skilled manpower needs, work closely with universities and other tertiary institutions, and guide educational expansion in line with labour market demands.
Ultimately, the responsibility for balancing the demand and supply of skilled labour rests with government through its relevant ministries and agencies. By providing comprehensive career counselling and guidance while students are still in secondary school, young Nigerians will be better equipped to make informed career choices that reflect their talents, interests and long-term aspirations.
A well-structured career guidance system would not only reduce unemployment and underemployment but also help produce a more productive workforce, stimulate economic growth and enable young Nigerians to fulfil their individual potential while contributing meaningfully to national development.