Prominent African entrepreneur and youth mentor, Tim Akano, has challenged the widespread belief that unemployment is Nigeria’s biggest issue. According to him, the real crisis lies in the lack of relevant skills and access to critical information needed to thrive in today’s digital economy. As the founder of Africa’s largest training organization, Akano’s company trains over 100,000 youths annually across various institutions. He also personally sponsors about 20,000 young people each year through scholarships.
In a personal experiment, Akano mentored ten NYSC members annually for five years, and none remained unemployed post-service. The latest batch, who graduated two months ago, now earn a minimum of $500 monthly, with some working remote jobs for international companies and making up to $12,000 per month. He emphasized that the rise of remote work and digital platforms has created unprecedented opportunities for Nigerian youths — if they have the right skills.
Akano urged youths to tap into the platform economy by creating digital marketplaces for services, much like Amazon or Alibaba. He also highlighted the integration of technology into all professions, from agriculture to law, warning that Africa must not miss the ongoing Artificial Intelligence revolution as it did with previous industrial shifts.
To remain competitive, Akano recommended acquiring high-demand skills such as Python programming, machine learning, data science, and full-stack development — fields where remote workers can earn up to $100 per hour. He also pointed to opportunities in cloud computing, blockchain, robotics, and the tech-powered transformation of agriculture using drones.
In closing, Akano encouraged Nigerian youths to embrace adaptability as the key to survival and success in today’s world. He believes that with the right mindset, relevant skills, and access to global information, young Nigerians can move from unemployment to global relevance and financial independence.
