EnterpriseNGR’s Youth of Enterprise (YOE) Internship Programme, an initiative dedicated to tackling Nigeria’s persistent challenge of youth unemployment and underemployment, celebrated the graduation of its third cohort on Thursday, 10th October 2024, marking a significant milestone for over 120 young interns across Nigeria. These young people interned at reputable organizations like Coronation, Custodian, Investment One, Polaris Bank, Saroafrica International Ltd, PwC, Nigeria Exchange Group, Access Bank, among others. With the theme “Digital Dreams: Forging Successful Careers in a Connected World,” the event highlighted the critical role of digital skills and forward-thinking mindsets in the modern workforce. Moderated by SACO, renowned Master of Ceremony and Managing Director of Saco Events Limited, the ceremony featured insightful discussions, reflections on the YOE programme’s impact, and motivational words for the graduates. In her opening remarks, Obi Ibekwe, CEO of EnterpriseNGR, commended the graduates for their dedication throughout the programme and encouraged them to embrace the lessons they have learned. “Your journey through YOE has equipped you with skills and knowledge that are essential in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Now, it’s time to apply them with courage and determination as you build your careers,” Ibekwe said. Delivering the keynote speech on “Thriving in the Digital Age: Skills and Mindsets for the Future,” Pai Gamde, Chief Talent Officer at Coronation Group, urged the interns to adopt a future-oriented approach. “The digital age is about agility, creativity, and continuous learning. As you move forward, embrace challenges and view them as opportunities to innovate and grow,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing world. Joy Abara, Head of Programmes at EnterpriseNGR, echoed this sentiment as she encouraged the graduates to maintain the YOE spirit. “Continue to fly the YOE flag high in your future endeavors. The skills, network, and experiences you have gained here will serve as a foundation for your professional growth,” she remarked. Announcing the top three performing groups and the overall best intern in Cohort III of the YOE Programme, Ms. Abara commended the winners for their outstanding performance noting that each member of the top three teams and the overall best intern would be rewarded with cash gifts and certificates of merit. The graduation ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Zahra Yunusa, YOE Administrator, who praised the graduates and wished them continued success as they embark on their next chapters. EnterpriseNGR remains committed to empowering young Nigerians through the YOE Internship Programme, equipping them with the tools needed to succeed in today’s dynamic job market. Organisations and Business Executives who would like to partner with YOE to shape tomorrow’s leaders can contact YOE at yoe@enterprisengr.com. CONNECT WITH YOE ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow YOE across our social media platforms below to stay up to date with our community: Instagram: @youthofenterprise X (Twitter): @YOENigeria Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthofEnterprise Click here to read what renowned HR Expert, Yemi Faseun, says about Empowering Nigeria’s Young Talent for Business Growth.
Tag: Youth empowerment
Empowering Nigeria’s Young Talents for Business Growth: Insights from Yemi Faseun, Chief Talent Officer at YF Talent Partners
In the dynamic landscape of modern workplaces, talent management is paramount to organisational success. Yemi Faseun, the Chief Talent Officer at YF Talent Partners, shares insights on the importance of empowering Nigeria’s young talents and its relevance to business growth. Yemi Faseun has 33 years of multi-sector and multi-function experience. His work focuses on the intersection of human resources, culture, and leadership and guiding organizations in navigating the complex terrain of talent and business transformation. At YF Talent Partners, he collaborates with clients to develop comprehensive people management strategies that align with the evolving demands of the “Now of Work.” As a Board Advisor, Non-Executive Director and a consultant in leadership, culture, and HR, Yemi is committed to elevating workplace environments. His approach is characterized by thought-provoking conversations that challenge the status quo and inspire meaningful change. His valuable contributions to the HR and leadership domains have earned him numerous global recognitions, including the prestigious LinkedIn Top Leadership Development Voice Badge in April 2024. He is a YOE volunteer partner, an author, and he loves Mondays. Read along to know Yemi’s thoughts on the importance of youth empowerment and its relevance to business growth in Nigeria. Young Nigerian Talents Have Strong Potential for Success Reflecting on his interactions with young talents during the Youth of Enterprise Internship Programme recruitment process, Yemi highlights key characteristics that set young Nigerians apart: versatility, a passionate drive to succeed, and a desire to seek opportunities beyond local borders. According to him, these young individuals embody a spirit of resilience and ambition that are essential for innovation and growth in any organization. Investing in Talent Development Contributes to Bridging Nigeria’s Skills Gap In addressing the critical issue of the skills gap in Nigeria, Yemi emphasizes the need for organizations to rethink their approach to training and development. He said that investing in the continual growth of employees not only equips them with necessary skills but also fosters a culture of learning and development that is vital for both individual and organizational success. His advice to organisations is to “Stop the trend of cutting the training budget!’’ A Call to Action for HR Executives and Business Leaders Regarding recruiting and managing talents in Nigeria, Yemi shares an unconventional insight: “The perfect candidate for a role may not always exist”. He encourages HR executives and business leaders to recognize the potential in young candidates, acknowledging that “many young folks are diamonds in the rough.” By taking chances on these individuals and providing them with the right guidance and support, organizations can nurture talents that may not yet shine brightly but have the potential to transform into sparkling gems. Partnering with an initiative like YOE that identifies young talents, equips them with essential workplace skills, and connects them to employers, will help HR executives and business leaders achieve this. In addition, partnering with an initiative like YOE helps businesses reduce recruitment costs, and outsourcing of entry-level talents. Business leaders are also able to reduce hiring risk and determine if a talent is a right fit for the company as they can monitor the talent’s performance over six months. Such partnerships give recruiters access to a pool of verified talents. Yemi’s insights serve as valuable reminders of the importance of recognizing and cultivating the potential of Nigerian youths. By investing in talent development and fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace environment, organizations will not only tackle the skills gap but also contribute to the sustainable growth of human capital in Nigeria. Empower the next generation of leaders today by becoming a Youth of Enterprise (YOE) employer partner and give young Nigerian university graduates access to graduate internship opportunities at your organization. Click here to indicate your interest.
Empowering Youths For Sustainable Economic Impact
The youth population represents a vital force for economic growth and innovation. Comprising individuals transitioning from education to employment, they embody creativity, adaptability, and the potential for productivity gains. Over 50% of the global population is under 30, with youths aged 16 to 24 making up 16% of this demography. Nigeria’s case is rather peculiar having one of the youngest populations in the world with 70.6% of its population under the age of 30 and youths aged 16 to 24 representing 18.2% of its population according to the UNDP’s 2024 World Population Prospects. In Nigeria, where unemployment and underemployment rates among youths are alarmingly high, empowering this demography is essential for sustainable economic growth. Nigerian youths, despite their potential, face challenges that hinder their ability to contribute optimally to the economy. Highlighted below are some of these challenges: Inadequate Education: Less than 20% of undergraduate applicants gain admission to tertiary institutions. The curricula of these institutions do not equip young graduates with critical employability skills necessary for success in the workplace , leaving many graduates unprepared for the job market and exacerbating youth unemployment and underemployment. Economic Barriers: Nigeria’s current macroeconomic situation characterized by high interest rates, inflation and infrastructure deficiencies adversely affecting businesses has resulted in insufficient job creation and therefore fewer job opportunities for youths. Government including policymakers and regulators and the private sector, play crucial roles in addressing these challenges and creating a sustainable and viable economic environment for fostering youth development and empowerment as well as engendering increased job creation by entrepreneurs. Some strategic stakeholder interventions are proposed: Government: Prioritizing Education and Skills Development To address the challenges in education, the Nigerian government must invest in modernizing the curricula in tertiary institutions to include the relevant skills and trainings required in today’s world. Finland’s education system and Rwanda’s YouthConnekt initiative, which link young people with skills training and funding, provide examples of how targeted interventions can boost youth employability. Similar initiatives in Nigeria would help develop a workforce that is adaptable and capable of driving innovation. Private Sector: Fostering Innovation and Creating Opportunities The private sector must play a more active role in youth development through partnerships with educational institutions and the Government. Programmes like EnterpriseNGR’s Youth of Enterprise (YOE) Internship Programme are already making strides by placing over 2000 young Nigerians in high-value internships. Programmes like this focus on improving the employability of Nigerian youth. Regulators: Ensuring Fair Labor Practices Regulators must enforce laws that support youth employment and protect workers’ rights. In Denmark, labor laws ensure fair treatment and compensation which enable young workers to thrive. Nigeria can adopt similar practices to ensure that youths are paid fair wages and have access to job security. Empowering Nigerian youths for sustainable economic growth requires coordinated efforts from the Government, private sector, and regulators. By investing in education, fostering entrepreneurship that would lead to more job creation, and improving infrastructure, Nigeria can reduce youth unemployment and drive long-term economic growth. Our youth population is a key asset and leveraging their potential will certainly boost the country’s economic prosperity. EnterpriseNGR is a policy and advocacy group established to promote the Nigerian financial and professional services sector with the primary objective of catalysing economic transformation in Nigeria. One of our initiatives is the Youth of Enterprise (YOE) internship programme which focuses on improving the employability of the Nigerian youth by providing trainings on soft skills and placing them in internships with leading organisations.