Work Nigeria, a prominent human resource consultant company, has outlined plans to combat Nigeria’s unemployment crisis by reintegrating one million Nigerians into employment within the upcoming year.
Mr. Olufemi Oyebanjo, the Managing Director (MD) of the company, revealed this ambition in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Expressing concern about the alarming unemployment rate, particularly among the country’s youth, Oyebanjo stressed the company’s commitment to ameliorating this situation, thereby bolstering the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Our aim is to place one million Nigerians back into work. The issue of unemployment is a prevalent problem in Nigeria. Regrettably, it majorly affects the youth. It’s our objective to reverse this trend. I recall that in 2021, Nigeria ranked as having the highest unemployment rate globally,” he stated.
“We’re here to reverse these staggering figures and assist individuals in securing jobs, guiding them to suitable positions, providing on-the-job training, and reducing the ‘Japa syndrome’,” he added.
Oyebanjo said one of the company’s strategies to tackle unemployment, stressing the ‘Catch Them Young’ approach in collaboration with federal, state, and private universities. The aim is to develop and train students, ensuring they are job-ready upon graduation.
He outlined plans to inaugurate West Africa’s first-of-its-kind Job Board in January 2024, serving as a platform for global employers to connect with job seekers, matching job opportunities with the right skills.
Moreover, the company intends to organise virtual job fairs specifically tailored for university students, aiming to bridge the gap between final-year students and prospective employers.
“We will be hosting a regular Virtual Job Fair, understanding the busy schedules of final-year students. This fair will bring together employers from across the globe, enabling students to engage with HR managers and employers to gain insight into companies’ expectations and requirements,” Oyebanjo explained.
“Students will have the opportunity to prepare themselves in line with these expectations, ensuring they are well-equipped when they complete their studies or National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),” he said.
(NAN)