As a young person, you have a multitude of needs and priorities when it comes to your career, political aspirations, and personal development goals.
Whether you’re just starting out in your journey or you’re a seasoned professional looking to take your skills to the next level, it’s important to understand what matters most to you and how you can achieve those goals.
PROMAD Foundation understands the value of youth inclusion and empowerment in accelerating youth civic participation and overall development in Nigeria.
That’s why the company carried out a survey which helped put together this list of the most common needs and priorities encountered among young people in these areas.
Speaking during a press conference to launch the research policy memo on Accelerating Youth Civic Participation and Development held in Abuja on April 4th, Mr Daisi Omokungbe, the Founder and Executive Director of PROMAD Foundation, said they believe in using data and technology to investigate and analyse development problems and proffer policy related solutions to help stakeholders and government gain clarity on what must be done.
PROMAD’s report read: “On needs and their priorities in terms of a number of career, political, and other personal development goals:
- “Get a job” = 67 counts
- “Acquire or develop my skills” = 49 counts
- “Get scholarship opportunities” = 39 counts
- “Contribute to my community through civic participation” = 37 counts
- “Run for an office” = 5 counts”
1. Get a Job
Unsurprisingly, the need to secure a job is at the top of the list for many young people in Nigeria.
According to the research, “Get a job” was mentioned a whopping 67 times when young people were asked about their priorities.
This is understandable as unemployment rates in Nigeria remain high, and securing a stable job is often seen as the first step towards financial stability and independence.
2. Acquire or Develop My Skills
In a rapidly changing job market, it’s no surprise that young people are placing a great deal of importance on acquiring and developing new skills. The research found that “Acquire or develop my skills” was mentioned 49 times as a top priority. This is a wise move as possessing the right skills can give you a competitive advantage when it comes to securing a job or even starting your own business.
3. Get Scholarship Opportunities
Education is a key factor in personal and professional development, which is why many young people are focused on securing scholarship opportunities.
The research found that “Get scholarship opportunities” was mentioned 39 times as a top priority. Scholarships can help young people access higher education and acquire the skills they need to achieve their goals.
4. Contribute to My Community through Civic Participation
Many young people have a desire to make a positive impact on their communities, and civic participation is a great way to do that.
The research by PROMAD found that “contribute to my community through civic participation” was mentioned 37 times as a top priority. Whether it’s through volunteering, community service, or advocacy, civic participation can help young people make a difference and build valuable connections.
5. Run for an Office
Finally, the research found that only five young people mentioned running for office as a top priority. While this may seem surprising, it’s important to note that political participation among young people in Nigeria is still relatively low. However, we believe that youth inclusion and empowerment can help change that and encourage more young people to get involved in politics and work towards positive change.
