It is not a matter for debate that Nigeria is in the throes of an unemployment crisis! This crisis is also multi-dimensional, as industry pundits also like to put the numbers of underemployed Nigerians in the mix. This unemployment conundrum takes on greater urgency with the statistics available from state and non-state organizations and parastatals.
Recent estimates put the unemployment rate at 33 percent. Critically, this figure means that 1 in 4 Nigerians are not engaged in sustainable economic activity. A further breakdown into the demographics of those affected is bleaker. Youth unemployment stands at 30.7 percent; 13.9 million young Nigerians, aged between 15 and 34, are currently out of work. This unemployment crisis has precipitated other societal problems that include insecurity and the loss or degradation of the moral compass of our society.
What is this employment solution?
Temitope Olukunle, one of Africa’s foremost ‘Gig Economy’ advocates, believes that the unemployment crisis can be tackled head-on by adopting and instituting the Gig Economy in Nigeria. The Global Talent Acquisition Specialist and HR Experts reckon that transitioning to the Gig Economy can unlock both individual and corporate potential, thus opening up multiple income streams and revenue pathways for African and Nigerian Talents.
Temi’s optimism about the GIG economy’s ability to solve Nigeria’s unemployment crisis is based on its fundamental characteristics. At its most basic, a gig economy connects individuals and businesses with short-term or freelance work, where compensation plans are based on a case-by-case basis. The gig economy, facilitated by digital platforms, connects contractual workers (freelancers) with clients. One important feature of the gig economy is that the freelancer can work on any number of jobs and is only limited based on his or her technical skills, knowledge, availability, and capacity to deliver.
For starters, Temi opines that the Gig economy has the capacity to absorb a workforce by the thousands. This feature alone will align with any government’s economic vision of mass employment for its citizenry. Temi also points out the need for the government to play the role of a facilitator by ensuring that the right environment is created for a productive gig economy.
What are the responsibilities of the government across these areas?
- Provision of critical infrastructure
Temi believes the government can jumpstart the gig economy to become a mass employer of labor by providing the requisite work elements. Adequate power supply, cross-border payment integrations, and extensive internet connectivity and coverage are just some of the vital resources needed for a virile gig economy in Nigeria. At present, the epileptic electricity supply and low internet penetration levels in Nigeria will serve as a stumbling block for gig economy practitioners. This is because these individuals are forced to source for their infrastructure needs, often at a huge cost to their businesses.
- Enacting enabling legislation
The gig economy can soothe the pangs of unemployment in Nigeria if targeted laws are passed. Other forms of governmental intervention can be the provision of loans or grants to gig practitioners to enable them to set up a digital presence or business, e.g., financial assistance in the purchase of computers and internet connectivity.
“The government can institute digital training centers and capacity-building platforms to groom youth interested in the gig economy,” she noted.
A call to action for the Nigerian Youth
While the government has considerable work to do to give traction to the gig economy, Temitope believes youth in Nigeria cannot rest on their oars. It behooves them to seek out ways and means to self-develop, especially in obtaining skills and capacity in the most in-demand sectors of the global economy. These sectors need professionals that can add value, and they include areas such as Data Analysis, Cloud engineering, UI/UX design, Programming, Digital Marketing, IT Project Management, Technical Recruitment, and Graphics design among others.
Temitope Olukunle Okeseeyin
Founder, University of Freelancing.
https://universityoffreelancing.org/building-your-career-in-a-vuca-world/
https://www.stears.co/article/can-the-gig-economy-create-decent-jobs-in-nigeria/
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nigerias-gen-z-dumping-9-5-gig-economy-nairametrics/
