ABUJA – A former President, Nigerian Economic Society, Prof. Akin Iwayemi, on Monday advised youths to acquire entrepreneurial skills instead of embarking on endless search for white-collar jobs.
Iwayemi gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“What I am saying is that our youths should think of what they can do for themselves rather than taking their Curriculum Vitae to government offices in search of jobs,’’ he said.
He advised young people to borrow a leaf from developed countries, particularly China, where youths were involved in entrepreneurial activities such as the production of cell phones and software.
According to him, the number of people entering the labour market each year are more than two million and we are growing rapidly as a people.
“We are the largest economy in Africa and our population is ever growing.
“So many people will be entering the labour market but the economy is not creating many jobs to cater for them, therefore, jobs are not adequate,’’ Iwayemi said.
He also said that there was the need for different stakeholders to be involved in solving the problem of unemployment in the country by creating job opportunities.
According to him, the Federal, State and Local Governments have their roles to play in addition to the collaboration between the private and public sectors to solve the problem.
“The development partners and civil society groups all have roles to play.
“It is a multi dimensional task that should involve all the stakeholders and each should do what best he can do.
“There is need for all stakeholders to work together because it is common interest for us to deal with the youth unemployment,’’ Iwayemi said. (NA
