Advice For Nigerian Graduates With 2.2
November 16, 2020
In as much as we always try to paint and re-paint realities, they still stare at us in the eyes with the greatest level of confidence or boldness you can think of.
I am using this post to offer a candid advice to Nigerian graduates within the 2.2 grade level, especially, those folks who graduated within the last 2 years. I said this because I should think most of the folks who graduated 5 to 10 years ago would have been able to create something for themselves, whether on a small or large scale.
Graduating with a 2.2 grade should not make you start dwelling on how you did it wrong and what you could have done and not have done.
Your 2.2 grade does not mean you are not intelligent or brilliant. Certificates from Nigerian higher institutions these days have lost their true value and relevance. There is little or no difference between university certificates and cardboard papers or wallpapers. Your 2.2 grade should give you the signal that the labour market is not friendly to you because even the first class and 2.1 graduates are not finding it easy as well. Except you have strong connections, you may never get that dream job of yours with your 2.2 cert. It is the truth. There is no proverbial Good Samaritan anywhere. Stop waiting and act. ADVICE FOR 2.2 GRADUATES
1. Stop looking for that dream job that is almost nonexistent. Get productive in any small firm that employs you. Even if the salary is not big. Make sure you save aggressively like a mad man. Give yourself few years and start your own business in any lucrative industry you have interest in and passion for. Grow your business diligently and gradually. Make sure your eyes are wide open kokoroko like those of a hawk. No room for distractions from unserious friends. Business first.
2. Humble yourself and learn a good lucrative skill. Nigerian university education is almost like a scam! The country does not possess the industrial capacity to absorb graduates from most of the departments and faculties you fancifully look at in JAMB brochure. Again, without connections, there is no Good Samaritan out there. Go learn a good skill and TRY TO BE VERY GOOD AT IT; it should not even be related to what you studied in school. You should explore other career paths in life.
The Nigerian society does not always believe in 'practicalize what you can do for us to see'. So even if you are a very bright person who graduated with a 2.2 due to some unfortunate circumstances, you may never get that chance to prove your worth or knowledge to get employed in your dream industry. That is how the system is. Yes, it is all messed up you would say. And you are right. The system believes in connections laced with mediocrity and financial gratification.