An Open Letter To Tinubu On Mass Unemployment Epidemic Among Nigerian Youths by Ope Banwo 

Your Excellency, Chief Bola Tinubu, The Executive President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria,

I, Ope Banwo, a USA-based Attorney and Founder of Naija Lives Matter, write to express deep concern over Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. As a patriot, I seek your intervention to initiate a transformative approach to addressing this challenge.

Despite previous attempts to communicate proposals through various channels, I’ve found it necessary to directly appeal for your attention to the escalating issue of unemployment and underemployment among Nigerian youths. Traditional government initiatives have fallen short of effectively combating this crisis, necessitating a shift towards innovative solutions.

I. Addressing Mass Unemployment Through Digital Empowerment

Your Excellency, the severity of unemployment in Nigeria demands a revolutionary approach beyond conventional “Fish for a Day” programs, which offer temporary relief without sustainable impact. The proposed “Fish For Life Initiative” aims to break the cycle of dependency by fostering digital entrepreneurship among Nigerian youths, equipping them with skills to secure lasting self-employment in the global digital economy.

Historically, government-led efforts, including the SURE-P and YOU-WIN programs, have been well-intentioned but limited in scope and impact, barely scratching the surface of the unemployment dilemma. Similarly, state-level initiatives, though praised, could not significantly reduce the vast unemployment numbers.

II. The Case for Mass Digital Works Approach

The digital domain presents an unprecedented opportunity for rapid, large-scale employment creation. Unlike traditional vocational training, digital skills can be quickly acquired, are cost-effective, and have a global application, allowing for immediate income generation. This approach does not aim to produce a few exceptional technology founders but to empower millions of Nigerian youths with digital skills for freelancing, e-commerce, and other online ventures.

III. Fish For Life Initiative: A Vision for Sustainable Employment

The Fish For Life Initiative is centered on transitioning from temporary, paternalistic interventions to a sustainable model of economic empowerment. By focusing on digital entrepreneurship, we aim to equip youths with necessary digital skills, ensuring their relevance in the global economy and contributing to Nigeria’s prosperity.

This initiative stands in stark contrast to previous short-term measures by prioritizing empowerment over entitlement. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and support, the initiative fosters innovation, self-reliance, and contribution to the national economy, addressing both immediate and long-term employment needs.

IV. Advantages of the Fish For Life Initiative

The initiative offers numerous benefits over traditional approaches, including:

1. Digital Scalability: Opens global market access, allowing Nigerian youths to transcend local economic constraints.

2. Lower Startup Costs: Enables entrepreneurship with minimal initial investment.

3. Future-Proof Careers: Prepares participants for the digital economy, ensuring job relevance.

4. Accessibility: Makes training available nationwide, overcoming geographical limitations.

5. Rapid Skill Acquisition and Flexible Learning: Allows quick, adaptable learning paths.

6. Diverse Income Streams: Encourages multiple online revenue opportunities.

7. Innovation and Creativity: Fosters a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship.

8. Earning Foreign Exchange: Contributes to Nigeria’s economy through international trade.

9. Community and Support Networks: Builds supportive ecosystems for growth and learning.

10. Empowerment Through Technology: Enhances self-sufficiency and national development potential.

11. Contribution to National Economy: Supports economic stability and growth through digital enterprise.

*V. Operational Framework: The NETPRENEUR YOUTH SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (NYSEP)*

The NYSEP, or Fish For Life Initiative, is designed as a comprehensive program to transform Nigerian youths into self-employed digital workers within a 90-day training period, followed by a 9-month internship. It includes digital workshops, incubation bootcamps, certification, job placement in online marketplaces, and ongoing mentorship, ensuring participants are well-prepared for sustainable online business ventures.

VI. Brief Summary of the Operational Framework the Fish For Life Program for Digital Works Nigeria:

The NETPRENEUR YOUTH SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM (NYSEP), dubbed the Fish For Life Initiative, is a structured end-to-end job empowerment and digital marketplace program aimed to transform Nigerian youths into self-employed digital workers within 90 days and another 9 months of internship to perfect their business online.

The program is not just theoretical training; it includes everything participants need to run a sustainable online business including coaching, mentoring, internship, certification with international partners, and integrating participants into global digital marketplaces.

In summary, the NYSEP Fish For Life program unfolds in five strategic steps:

Intro Stage: Digital Employment Possibilities Seminars – Free workshops outlining online self-employment opportunities, guiding youths towards suitable digital niches.

Stage 1: Digital Works Incubation Bootcamp – A 90-day intensive training program, equipping participants to offer digital services worldwide. More details at www.digitalworksnigeria.com.

Stage 2: A 9-month internship program with a monthly stipend for the program participants to practice their skills in real environments by working with successful digital entrepreneurs so they can gain the confidence and experience needed to run a sustainable online business.

Stage 3: Digital Works Certification – Partnering with the American Internet Business School, we certify participants as global digital service providers, ensuring their skills are recognized and valued internationally.

Stage 4: Job Placement in Online Marketplaces – We facilitate participants’ integration into international marketplace job sites, ensuring they can start earning immediately.

Stage 5: Digital Works Mentoring Forum – A dedicated platform for ongoing support, mentorship, and community interaction among digital workers.

This is just a brief explanation of the comprehensive process.

VII. Conclusion

Your excellency sir, the Fish For Life Initiative is not merely a response to unemployment; it’s a strategic move towards a resilient, technology-driven Nigeria. By investing in digital skills, the initiative not only transforms lives but also contributes to the broader goal of economic stability and growth, marking a new chapter in Nigeria’s journey towards prosperity.

In contrast to transient relief efforts, the Fish For Life Initiative offers a blueprint for lasting change. By empowering Nigerian youths with the tools to create their destinies, the initiative not only tackles the immediate challenge of mass unemployment but also lays the groundwork for a prosperous, self-reliant future.

The Fish For Life initiative represents a paradigm shift in addressing unemployment in Nigeria, moving away from the band-aid solutions of the past towards creating a sustainable, empowered future for Nigerian youths.

As we look towards the future, it is clear that empowering individuals to fish for life, rather than just giving them fish for a day, is the key to lasting change and economic stability.

Thank you, Your Excellency, for your time, and hopefully, you will refer this to your team of able bureaucrats to work this out for the benefit of the youths who are literally at the mercy of their governments.

The buck stops at your desk, Sir.

Yours sincerely,

Ope BanwoFounder, Naija Lives MatterWhatsApp: +14022080089Email: founder@naijalivesmatter.com