Apprenticeship: A Practical Solution to Nigeria's Youth Employment Crisis

Nigeria's official unemployment rate stood at 4.3 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), following the 2023 revision of its Labour Force Survey methodology in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. While the revised figures indicate an improvement, many economists argue that the headline unemployment rate does not fully reflect the realities of widespread underemployment, vulnerable employment, and the dominance of the informal sector, where millions of Nigerians earn their livelihoods.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians graduate from tertiary institutions with hopes of securing decent jobs. However, many spend months or even years searching for employment in an economy struggling to create enough opportunities. This has renewed calls for practical alternatives that can equip young people with employable skills and encourage entrepreneurship.

Nigeria is estimated to produce more than 500,000 graduates annually from over 150 tertiary institutions. In recent years, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) graduated 24,575 students, while the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Benin (UNIBEN) produced over 10,500 and 14,000 graduates respectively during their convocation ceremonies. Despite these growing numbers, many graduates enter a labour market that is unable to absorb them, resulting in unemployment, underemployment, or prolonged job searches.

Against this backdrop, apprenticeship has continued to provide a practical grassroots pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. For decades, it has served as a reliable system for transferring vocational skills and helping young people establish sustainable businesses within Nigeria's informal economy.

Studies on the Igbo Apprenticeship System further highlight its effectiveness. One study found that 90.5 per cent of participants believed the programme improved their employment prospects and financial independence, while 97.9 per cent reported acquiring valuable practical skills through the system.

Speaking on the importance of apprenticeship, Daniel Erhabor, a furniture maker on R.C.C. Road, Ikhueniro, Benin City, said learning a trade transformed his life and enabled him to become an employer of labour.

"If I had not learnt a skill, I don't think I would be where I am today. Many young people are on the streets searching for jobs, but acquiring a vocational skill gives you the opportunity to earn a living and even employ others," he said.

Erhabor added that he has seen many university graduates return to learn trades after struggling to secure white-collar employment, stressing that vocational skills promote self-reliance and productivity.

Similarly, Ikpomwonsa Progress, a shoemaker on Agbor Road, Benin City, called on government to provide greater support for artisans and small businesses through improved access to equipment and financing.

"Many of the machines and tools we use are expensive, making it difficult for young people to establish themselves after completing their apprenticeship. Government can support artisans and small businesses by providing access to equipment and financial assistance," she said.

She encouraged young Nigerians to embrace vocational skills rather than waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs, noting that acquiring a trade can empower them to become employers of labour.

Also speaking, Mr. Okonkwo, a plumbing parts dealer on Agbor Road, Benin City, described apprenticeship as a system that builds discipline, trust, character and business management skills.

"Apprenticeship gives young people the right foundation to grow. When you serve under a master, you observe his diligence, integrity and work ethic, and a serious apprentice is likely to emulate those qualities," he said.

According to him, apprenticeship also teaches business management and personal discipline, adding that the mentorship received during training prepares young people not only to earn a living but also to become responsible business owners and community leaders.

Despite its enormous potential, apprenticeship and vocational education remain underutilised within Nigeria's formal education system. Although interest in skills acquisition is increasing because of prevailing economic realities, experts believe a comprehensive national apprenticeship framework is needed to integrate vocational training into the country's workforce development strategy.

Such a framework should include standardised training, recognised certification, quality assurance, financial support for apprentices, incentives for master trainers, access to start-up capital, stronger collaboration with the private sector, integration of vocational education into tertiary institutions, and a national database for tracking programme outcomes in line with International Labour Organization best practices.

As Nigeria continues to confront youth unemployment and economic uncertainty, apprenticeship should no longer be viewed as a second-choice career path. Rather, it should be recognised as a credible, practical and sustainable pathway to employment, entrepreneurship and national development.