Secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been urged to make informed career decisions early to tackle youth unemployment and skills mismatch in Nigeria.
A career coach, Dr Abiodun Ipadeola, gave the advice during a “Pep Talk on Early Career Choices and Decision Making” session for senior secondary students at the Government Secondary School, Mabushi, Abuja.
Ipadeola said early career guidance was critical in helping young people align their strengths, interests, and abilities with national workforce needs.
According to her, many students make career choices based on peer pressure or societal expectations, often leading to frustration, unemployment and underemployment later in life.
“The decisions students make at this stage shape their future. Early clarity gives them confidence and direction, while wrong choices can lead to confusion, wasted resources and delayed productivity,” she said.
She explained that career paths were broadly categorised into arts, commercial, and science fields, each of which required specific subject combinations and skill sets. (NAN)
Ipadeola stressed the need for government and education stakeholders to integrate structured career guidance into the secondary school curriculum to bridge the gap between education and labour market demands.
“There is a disconnect between what students study and what the economy requires.
“Introducing career counselling early in schools will help students make informed decisions and build relevant skills,” she said.
She also encouraged students to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship and technical skills such as fashion designing, photography, and catering, describing them as viable alternatives in Nigeria’s evolving job market.
She emphasised that promoting vocational and digital skills was key to reducing dependence on white-collar jobs.
(NAN)
