Over one million prospective students write the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exams every year. The hope is that after an average of four years in education, there will be many “white collar” jobs available with good salaries and benefits.

There are also students in colleges of education and polytechnics hoping to be employed after completing their studies.

Unfortunately, this is far from the current reality, and as many young Nigerians become to realise that a bachelors’ degree or the national diploma is not enough to secure a good paying job, they look for further educational qualifications abroad, or write professional exams in their effort to increase their employability.

Again, many still end up disappointed as their pursuit of acquiring more degrees still does not change the demand and supply mechanisms in the job market.

Some human resources executives argue that many Nigerian trained graduates are unemployable as the standard of education has fallen over the years.

In my analysis of this situation, I feel that in order to create jobs, Nigerians must first embrace a national value re-orientation campaign.

The belief that only “white collar” jobs are relevant needs to change, and in its stead should be the embracing of vocational education that are related to specific trade and industry.

There are vocational schools and technical colleges in Nigeria, and these need governmental support. Currently, these vocational schools are not recognized as positive contributors to development.

The opportunities for expert welders, beauticians, cooks, and automobile mechanics are many as they also add value to the overall business chain. The vocational trainings can be merged with academics so that we have educated people managing the semi and informal sectors.

If young people were encouraged to take up mechanized farming as a sustainable means of income, for example, Nigeria can reduce food imports and rely on local production managed by young entrepreneurs.

The value reorientation campaign should also include a focus on integrity, hard work, persistence and service as opposed to the “get rich quick” mentality.

To achieve these results, the government need to develop infrastructure, improve educational standards, vocational schools, health services and security, and thus allow more jobs to be created in different sectors.

By supporting small and medium sized companies, and providing incentives to boost entrepreneurship in high potential sectors, such as agriculture, entertainment, education and technology, President Goodluck Jonathan, can write his name in Nigerian history as the agent of positive change for Nigeria’s young, and currently largely unemployed, population.

Lastly, young Nigerians need to challenge themselves and look inwards for solutions. Some of the world’s most profitable ventures emerged from a single idea in a person’s mind. There are many examples of remarkable Nigerians who have broken the poverty cycle by exploiting their talents. We live in a knowledge driven, fast paced society and the need for differentiating skills has never being more profound.

The problems associated with high unemployment affects everyone, and all stakeholders must stay committed to changing the present situation through value reorientation, good governance and employment creation.

Nigerian youths should be working and this is an urgent matter.