Tim Akano, a prominent African entrepreneur and youth mentor, has stated that unemployment is not the real problem facing Nigerian youths today. Instead, he argues, the real issue is a lack of relevant skills and information required to thrive in the 21st-century economy.
Tim Akano, whose company is the largest training organization in Africa, revealed that they train over 100,000 youths annually across universities, military institutions, and secondary schools. In addition to that, he personally provides scholarships to about 20,000 corps members and young people each year.
Driven by a desire to uncover the truth about youth unemployment in Nigeria, Akano began a personal experiment five years ago. Each year, he mentored just ten National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, offering them guidance throughout their service year. According to him, none of the 50 young people he mentored over those five years remained unemployed after their NYSC year. The most recent batch, he noted, graduated two months ago, and none of them earns less than $500 monthly — approximately ₦850,000 — a figure that is significantly above the national average for entry-level salaries in Nigeria.
This, he says, proves that Nigeria doesn’t necessarily suffer from an unemployment crisis, but rather a skills and information gap. He emphasised the transformative power of the right information and how it can uplift young people into global economic relevance.
Tim Akano pointed out that the global economy has shifted dramatically, driven by digital innovation and emerging technologies. One of the key developments is the rise of remote jobs, which has provided Nigerian youths with a lifeline. Many now work remotely for companies in Canada, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Some of the young people he mentors, including undergraduates from the University of Lagos, earn as much as $10 per hour. A few even make up to $12,000 per month, working from the comfort of their homes. With just a laptop, stable internet, and food, they have become financially independent.
He also highlighted the emergence of the platform economy, which has changed the way the world does business. Just as platforms like Amazon and Alibaba dominate global trade, Tim Akano encourages Nigerian youths to think along the same lines. He shared examples such as building platforms that bring professionals like lawyers, plumbers, or artisans together, allowing people to access services easily. These kinds of innovations, he believes, have the potential to revolutionise Nigeria’s service sector.
Another area he emphasised is the integration of technology into all professions. From law to fashion, architecture to agriculture, Tim Akano stressed the need for young Nigerians to embrace digital tools and solutions. He drew parallels with past global revolutions — the agrarian, industrial, and information revolutions — during which Africa failed to take advantage of the economic shifts. He warned that missing out on the ongoing Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution could prove disastrous for the continent.
Tim Akano stressed that AI is fast becoming the driving force of the modern world. From robo-lawyers to AI architects, and even TV broadcasters and musicians, technology is evolving rapidly and replacing traditional roles. He explained that there are spiritual AI systems in some countries already predicting the future, and these developments are not waiting for African approval or participation. Hence, he called on Nigerians not to miss this fourth industrial revolution.
He listed a range of tech skills youths can develop today, such as mathematics, Python programming, machine learning, data science, and full-stack development. According to him, mastering these skills can lead to high-paying remote jobs, with companies abroad offering $20 to $100 per hour for such expertise. Cloud computing, blockchain, and robotics were also mentioned as lucrative fields young Nigerians can explore to remain relevant in the global workforce.
Beyond IT, Tim Akano encouraged diversification into agriculture, enhanced by technology. He noted that drones are now used to monitor farmland and detect pests, reducing waste and boosting productivity. He also touched on the growing potential in the entertainment industry, which is valued at $2.6 trillion globally. Areas such as content creation, digital marketing, gaming, and event management offer significant opportunities for Nigerian youths.
He concluded by urging Nigerian youths to adapt to change, noting that survival in today’s world is not about strength or intelligence, but the ability to adapt. For Akano, the solution to Nigeria’s youth unemployment lies in equipping the youth with the right skills, mindset, and information to seize global opportunities.
Promise Babatunde
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