[dropcap custom_class=”normal”] I have stalled on writing this article for a while now, but I think now is the time to finally complete and share it. I don’t know if it’s the same with you, but most times, your spirit is led to do something and when you refuse to do it, things or people around you leave clues for you to make your decision. [/dropcap]
Now, let’s get to the topic shall we, because as you all may not know “I can talk for Africa”…
Question?
Do you know what the future of employment in Nigeria will be?
Answer:
ENTREPRENEURSHIP!
Let us start by defining what entrepreneurship is? Entrepreneurship (according to the famous wiki) is the process of starting a business or other organization.
Business dictionary defines entrepreneurship as the capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit.
Who is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is a person who sets up a business or businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. – Wikipedia
Business dictionary defines an entrepreneur as someone who exercises initiative by organizing a venture to take benefit of an opportunity and, as the decision maker, decides what, how, and how much of a good or service will be produced.
Would you agree with me that the current trending employment in Nigeria is in the ‘Oil and Gas’ sector?
Would you also agree with me that it is gradually going out of fashion?
The next trending employment is ‘Agriculture’! Do you second or not?
I’ll tell you a little secret about Nigeria (and Africa as a whole), and maybe it’s not so much of a secret. The land is GREEN! And when I say green I mean we are blessed with natural resources. Not only is the land green but the people are also green, talented and blessed in a lot of ways.
Well of course you would ask; how on earth are we not so flipping rich to sustain the whole nation right! Same questions on my mind… but let’s leave that topic for another day shall we!
I have a question to ask you though and I hope you can answer my question.
Why is it that the Nigerian government refer mostly to the Oil & Gas Industry as ‘local content’?
My understanding of local content is referring to things done or made locally! Correct?
So in other words, local content cuts across various Industries. This brings me to the main topic.
The fastest upcoming employment is Entrepreneurship. I want you to understand this properly. The reason why I have chosen to call it employment even though we both know you will be a boss of your own, but really you are employed by many employers (Clients). The earlier you realize you being a boss of your own means only you know you are the boss, not until you say it (LOL). You are the marketer, the accountant, the sales person, the secretary, the strategist, the consultant, the researcher…. you name it. If you don’t know the role all of these play, then don’t bother counting on luck to run a successful business.
UNEMPLOYMENT has had a very strong hold on Nigeria, but guess what beautiful people we all have the key to break it, and that key is ‘ENTREPRENEURSHIP’.
I will share some of my personal juicy collections of the benefits of an entrepreneur, borrowed from a wise man of God – Pastor Sam Adeyemi
- You are flexible in changing times.
- You create jobs.
- You add to the National economy, otherwise known as an economy changer.
- You create wealth for yourself.
- You choose to work with people you love and where you love to.
- You are a problem solver.
- You are influencing society for good.
The future of Nigeria is transforming to that era of leaders, an era where each one will yearn to teach one, an era where people will understand the essence of synergy, an era where it won’t just be all about you, an era where you will care enough to fill the gap of your economy, an era where paying tax will have an essence, an era where it won’t be about the government because the people will realize it all starts from them, an era where you will overcome the fear of failure, an era where you will believe in investing in yourself because you want to start that business idea you have nurtured in your mind for too long, an era where the young ones are encouraged to chase after their passion and find that courage to grow their business, an era where there are no more excuses, an era when ENTREPRENEURSHIP will STAND! This is the FUTURE of NIGERIA.
The next question is what makes you and I stand out from the crowd? Hmm!
Now let’s leave this question for next time, hoping I get around putting the thoughts together.
I want to hear from you so please don’t leave without a comment! Infact I need to hear from you! YES YOU!
Hold on! Before I conclude, do you also know that God wants us to have a business mindset towards life? (Interesting isn’t it, if God says so, why not!).
Let’s talk about LOCAL CONTENT in NIGERIA next time shall we! YES WE SHALL…
Till then, remain hyped in joy!
Article written by Bukky Bello – Founder of BELLAFRICANA (Africa’s no.1 marketplace for Afrocentric and Handmade products).
