Nigerian Youths Need Skills, Mentorship to Succeed, Says MDIF CEO

Nigerian Youths Need Skills, Mentorship to Succeed, Says MDIF CEO

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

The Chief Executive Officer of the Migration and Development Impact Foundation (MDIF), Margaret Ngozi Ukegbu, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace skill acquisition, entrepreneurship and mentorship to overcome unemployment and build successful careers.

Ukegbu spoke on Tuesday during a youth employability and wealth creation training organised by the foundation in Jos, where she urged young people to look beyond formal education and focus on practical skills capable of creating sustainable income.

She said the increasing difficulty in securing admission into tertiary institutions and the growing unemployment rate have made vocational training and entrepreneurship more important for Nigerian youths.

“With the challenges around university admissions and unemployment, young people need practical skills that can help them survive and create wealth honestly,” she said.

According to her, the foundation’s initiative was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and entrepreneurial ideas that would help them become self-reliant while pursuing further education or formal employment.

Ukegbu warned that many young people rush into businesses without adequate planning, preparation or understanding of the market, leading to failure.

“It is not just about saying you want to start a business. Without proper preparation and understanding, many businesses collapse before they even begin,” she said.

She encouraged youths to explore legitimate side businesses and develop multiple sources of income without compromising their integrity or professional responsibilities.

Drawing from her personal experience, Ms Ukegbu said she engaged in trading while studying at the university and continued small-scale businesses during her years in public service.

“When I was in the university, I traded while studying. Even during my years in public service, I still engaged in small businesses that did not interfere with my duties to my employers,” she said.

The MDIF chief stressed that discipline, consistency, and lawful enterprise, rather than dishonest means, can achieve financial independence.

She also expressed concern about what she described as declining moral standards in the country’s political and social environment.

According to her, many young Nigerians now admire individuals with questionable reputations because society increasingly places more value on wealth and influence than on character and integrity.

“Our political space has been invaded by the wrong type of characters, and young people are beginning to see them as role models,” she said.

Ukegbu further lamented the shortage of positive mentors who are capable of guiding young people towards responsible citizenship and ethical leadership.

“There was a time when values and principles mattered greatly in this country, but many of those standards are gradually disappearing,” she added.

She urged parents, institutions and community leaders to intentionally mentor young Nigerians and promote the values of honesty, hard work and patriotism.

“Our youths are not beyond redemption. They need direction, mentorship, and opportunities to realise that success can still come through legitimate means,” she said.