By Raheem Kamilu
It is an undisputed fact that education remains the bedrock of individual and national development. Whether acquired within the four walls of a classroom or through hands-on training in workshops and markets, education is fundamentally about teaching, moulding and training.
The choice of education often determines the path an individual takes in life. No knowledge is wasted; while one field may appear more prestigious than another, no pathway to success is inherently superior.
Yet, in today’s society, university degrees are frequently portrayed as the only legitimate route to achievement. As a result, the traditional apprenticeship system once a respected and reliable means of livelihood is gradually fading. Gone are the days when young people eagerly attached themselves to experienced mentors to learn trades, master skills, and build sustainable careers. Increasingly, youths are missing out on the immense value of practical training and real-world experience.
From carpentry to catering, mechanics to fashion design, bricklaying to digital marketing, apprenticeship once offered a structured, practical route into the workforce. It combined discipline, mentorship, and skill acquisition in a way that formal education alone often cannot. However, the rise of social media culture and the allure of “white-collar” employment jobs that are themselves increasingly scarce have contributed to a shift away from vocational training.
Available statistics paint a worrying picture. As of 2024, Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate stands at approximately 5.05 percent, only slightly lower than 5.13 percent recorded in 2023. Meanwhile, participation in the National Open Apprenticeship Scheme has reportedly declined by more than 50 percent since 2021, with both male and female enrolment experiencing significant drops. Though the unemployment figures may appear modest on the surface, underemployment and informal job struggles remain widespread realities for millions of young Nigerians.
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Speaking on the rationale behind the decline, Mr. Okunlade Oluwole, Chief Executive Officer of Aloebless Building Contractor, attributed the problem to the overemphasis on formal education at the expense of vocational skills.
According to him, a social stigma now surrounds apprenticeship, with many young people believing it is only for those who failed academically. He shared his personal journey:
“I started learning bricklaying while I was still in primary school. I followed my father to construction sites and later enrolled fully under a mentor’s tutelage. After my training, I proceeded to the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, where I studied Business Administration. Today, I manage my own construction company. I did not wait endlessly for unavailable white-collar jobs.”
His story underscores a powerful reality: vocational skills and formal education are not mutually exclusive. Rather, they can complement each other to create stronger, more self-reliant entrepreneurs.
From another perspective, Mrs. Adeyinka Basheerat, a fashion designer, identified the “get-rich-quick” mentality as a major factor discouraging apprenticeship among Nigerian youths. According to her, many young people are drawn to quick money-making ventures rather than committing to the discipline and patience required to learn a trade.
She noted that apprenticeship demands time, humility, and perseverance qualities that are increasingly undervalued in a society that celebrates instant success.
Mallam Habeeb Ibraheem Balogun, popularly known as Alfa Jeje Agba and Director of JAF Vocational Training Centre, Ikirun, described the situation as a collective loss.
“There was a time when learning a skill was a source of pride,” he said. “Young people developed patience, discipline, and self-respect through apprenticeship. Today, many see it as suffering or punishment not because it lacks value, but because society no longer celebrates the process.”
He observed that many youths desire success without preparation money without learning and recognition without foundation. When apprenticeship demands time and commitment, they often withdraw not necessarily out of laziness, but because they lack encouragement and guidance.
Parents, he added, also contribute to the problem, often unintentionally. In the race for certificates and office-based jobs, many overlook the unique talents and practical inclinations of their children. Some youths who might excel in vocational careers are discouraged or compared unfavourably with peers pursuing university degrees.
Mallam Habeeb further acknowledged internal challenges within the apprenticeship system itself. Some instructors, he lamented, lack patience, while some apprentices are treated more as errand runners than learners. These systemic flaws, he noted, discourage participation and undermine the integrity of vocational training.
He called on government at all levels to overhaul and revitalise apprenticeship programmes as a strategic measure to reduce youth unemployment. He also urged young people not to be ashamed of learning a skill, reminding them that “the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.” Parents, he advised, should support their children in vocational pursuits rather than pushing them toward shortcuts to success.
Restoring Dignity Through Skills
The decline of apprenticeship is not merely about the loss of traditional trades. It represents a broader erosion of patience, mentorship, craftsmanship, and dignity in labour. When society devalues skill acquisition, it inadvertently narrows opportunities for economic independence and sustainable growth.
Government reforms, institutional support, committed mentors, informed parenting, and a cultural shift that restores pride in skilled work. If apprenticeship is restored to its rightful place, it will not only reduce unemployment but also renew hope, purpose, and dignity among Nigeria’s youth.
The future of the nation may well depend not only on degrees earned in lecture halls, but also on skills mastered in workshops and under the guidance of seasoned mentors.
