By Abujah Racheal
Secondary school students have been urged to make informed career decisions early to tackle youth unemployment and skills mismatch in Nigeria.
A career coach, Dr Abiodun Ipadeola, gave the advice on Thursday during a “Pep Talk on Early Career Choices and Decision Making” session for senior secondary students at Government Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was part of activities marking her 40th birthday.
Ipadeola said early career guidance was critical in helping young people align their strengths, interests, and abilities with national workforce needs.
According to her, many students make career choices based on peer pressure or societal expectations, often leading to frustration, unemployment and underemployment later in life.
“The decisions students make at this stage shape their future. Early clarity gives them confidence and direction, while wrong choices can lead to confusion, wasted resources and delayed productivity,” she said.
She explained that career paths were broadly categorised into arts, commercial, and science fields, each of which required specific subject combinations and skill sets.
Ipadeola stressed the need for government and education stakeholders to integrate structured career guidance into the secondary school curriculum to bridge the gap between education and labour market demands.
“There is a disconnect between what students study and what the economy requires.
“Introducing career counselling early in schools will help students make informed decisions and build relevant skills,” she said.
She also encouraged students to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship and technical skills such as fashion designing, photography, and catering, describing them as viable alternatives in Nigeria’s evolving job market.
She emphasised that promoting vocational and digital skills was key to reducing dependence on white-collar jobs.
According to her, available data reveals that Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stood at about 5.05 per cent in 2024, though experts note that underemployment and informal work remain widespread challenges.
Reports by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicate that many young graduates lack practical, industry-relevant skills, highlighting a persistent gap between education and labour market needs.
Some students who attended the session said it helped them gain clarity on future career paths.
They said the programme exposed them to opportunities beyond traditional professions such as medicine and law.
Stakeholders at the event called for expanded access to career guidance, mentorship, and skills development programmes, as well as stronger collaboration between government, schools, and the private sector to equip students with relevant competencies.
NAN reports that the event highlighted early career guidance as a strategic tool for human capital development and sustainable national growth.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
