Why Nigerian Youths Prefer Vocations/ craft and Trade to White Collar Jobs

[Jasz]

In recent years there has been a shift in the mindset of youths in Nigeria. Very few youths now see white collar jobs as something to aspire to, and many have begun crafting and trading instead. So many of them believe going to school to acquire a degree is now a risk or not even worth it, compared to before.

There is a big employment gap in Nigeria, and youths are not getting proper jobs which fit their qualifications. Most people believe you only get employed with connections. They believe only those at the top positions, notably oil companies and the likes earn huge salaries while others are just working so much to earn little.
This has also highlighted growing tensions between youths and the Nigerian political elite more broadly, who tend to view technocrats as elitists.

According to the latest National Bureau of Statistics NBS report, youths in Nigeria today have a preference for trade because they see white collar jobs as being too risky.

Youths prefer to learn a trade or craft. They are often referred to as plumbers, electricians, tailors, tilers, mechanics, painters, hair dressers. It is believed that the wages obtained from these crafts or skills when accumulated in a month is far greater than someone working as a teacher, office assistant, banker and the likes. You also have time for yourself, you decide when to work and when not to.

The disadvantage is that, some of these work have seasons, sometimes it is difficult to get customers, by then you need to do with whatever you have accumulated. Salary earners too sometimes don't get all their salaries in some months, probably because of strike, suspension, change of policies and the likes.

So what is your view? Are Nigerian youths just lazy or lack environment to express themselves?

 

[Sotherefore]

I don't think it is all Nigerian youth that considers white-collar job to be risky, the reason is because the Nigerian government are not doing what they're supposed to do by providing employment to thousands of people that graduated on yearly basis.

People do not prefer to trade , they are doing it because they do not have any other option, the government are not providing employment for people . I don't see why most people will prefer to trade when there are goods jobs for them to do. Whenever something like this arises we have to understand that our government has failed their responsibilities.

There are some Nigerian youth that are really interested to trade , but here they are just doing it because that is what they just want to do and they may not prefer to get employment from the government because they just want to establish their own private business.


If there is employment for everyone then Why is there a high rate of unemployment in the country ? They should not be using necessary statistic to be deceiving us that it is people that prefers to be self employed . They have failed their responsibilities that's all .

 

[Kendy]

Prior to this time, Nigerian youths were so obsessed with white collar jobs. Infact, the aim of enrolling in schools was to get white collar jobs after graduation. Anyone who got these white collar jobs was seen as wealthy and intelligent and this was the hopes of every Nigerian parent, Notwithstanding if the incentives or renumeration was small. Those who were engaged in craft and trade were regarded as those who did not see the importance of enrolling in school and in most cases, they were forced to enrol in those trades since they did not have the passion of going to school. Recently, the table has indeed turned, such that the education system in Nigeria is becoming so static with the incessant industrial strike actions and no dynamism in technological advancement to make the teaching and learning process interesting. Those who are lecturers and even professors are not motivated in doing their jobs because of the frequent owed salaries and other fringe benefits which has been left unpaid. Prior to this time, becoming a teacher, lecturer or even a professor was an envied position but now, individuals just manage to enrol in schools just to get the needed knowledge of education but they prefer a skill or trade, this is because the white collar jobs payout is now a mockery to individuals most especially teachers.

 

[Shaf]

It's very glaring that there are not enough white collar jobs, especially high paying ones that will give money like youths aspire for these days.

Also, over time, people have come to associate white collar jobs with limited freedom. Your time is managed and controlled by someone, you cannot go out of the norm to try new skills and techniques whole in a work place that's regulated.

It's also another problem how toxic the working environment is in most places. There is a high rate is discrimination between staffs on multiple basis, most of which are out of your control.

When people are treated badly simply because of their tribe, religion or gender, or even looks,.it may cause them to be repulsed by such environment and make them look for alternatives.