HIGHLY SKILLED, OVER POPULATED OR INSUFFICIENT EMPLOYMENT?
Stanley Ezendiokwere
IT Leader | Technical Support & Operations Manager | M365 & Cloud Solutions Expert | Driving Innovation, Service Excellence & Digital Transformation | Empowering Teams & Optimizing Processes
So today at the office, surfing through my Premium LinkedIn Profile on the Job advert sections (I expand relevant job adverts within my career path and look at the required skills and competencies so I can develop my self in them) and I was stuck on a late Job Advert by the British Council for the Position of "ICT Officer" (A role which a serious-minded Computer science graduate from our Nigeria universities can fill and perform optimally if given the chance).
The Job didn't have much specifications on the needed skills and experience level but had a prescription for each applicant to write an application letter stating clearing their cutting edge as to why they should be given the opportunity to work with the BC (that's also an easy kill for a typical Nigeria who needs an international exposure as I have seen my friend who has little expertise on the English language write a 4 Page Level 4 English essay [sometin never pursue you before - pidgin]). This position was a global one.
What struck me and made me compose this post is the statistics that were provided me on my Fitness for the Role and the chances I had at applying (Linkedin's algorithm for Premium customers is amazing).
In the attached image, If you look clearly, Nigeria has the highest application on that Job with a 500:1 application ratio to other African countries (Ghana) most especially.
This balls down to my Questions:
- DO we have more employable graduates that other African countries?
- Do we have fewer employment positions that other African countries?
- Are we overpopulated and reached the extreme end of demand and supply?
- Are the working environment of Nigerian companies unfavorable and is making Graduates look for alternatives in a Job?
NB: The majority of the applicants from the statistics provided are already gainfully employed.
What is your opinion on the posited questions and scenario? I'll love to hear from you
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No, we do not necessarily have more employable graduates than other African countries (unless statistics prove otherwise). However, with a population of about 200 million, it's simply logical for Nigerians to top the list of the said job applicants. Great analysis, by the way.