Expert urges education overhaul for youth development

A youth advocate, Oludare Olowora, has called on the Federal Government to revamp Nigeria’s education sector to focus on skill acquisition, arguing that the current system is outdated and does not equip youths for modern career paths.

Olowora, who co-founded the UK-based Social Innovation Hub and is a member of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Europe Chapter, made this call in a statement, noting that the government must play a critical role in youth development by introducing reforms that prioritise practical, job-ready skills.

“The government has a huge role to play in youth development and empowerment, but unfortunately, in many cases, they fall short,” he lamented. “If the government truly wants to see Nigerian youth thrive, there are some critical roles they should play.”

Olowora stressed the need to move beyond traditional career expectations and expose young Nigerians to emerging fields, noting, “The current education system is outdated. Schools should teach practical, job-ready skills like coding, digital marketing, business development, and financial literacy.

“Most youths only know about medicine, law, and engineering because of traditional societal beliefs.”

Olowora also called for an emphasis on financial literacy and vocational training for economic growth, stating that not all young Nigerians wish to follow the university route.

“Our education system should prioritise financial literacy and investments in vocational training centres for youths who may not want to go the traditional university route. Formal education is not enough to learn soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving,” he added.

The advocate further urged the government to support youth entrepreneurship through accessible grants and skill acquisition programmes in high-demand fields such as technology, agriculture, and business development.

“The government should not pay lip service to youth empowerment without placing workable measures for youth development. Most young Nigerians have great business ideas but lack capital to start. The government should provide accessible grants and low-interest loans for startups,” he said.

Olowora also called for better internet connectivity and affordable data, arguing that digital access is crucial for learning and remote work opportunities. He asserted that “to empower the Nigerian youth, there should be a reduction in the cost of internet data as well as improving connectivity—digital access is critical for learning and remote jobs.”