FCT youths urged to acquire entreprenuerial skills

Creative Director of Springfield Fashion Academy, Blessing Ugwuodo, has called upon unemployed youths and graduates in the FCT to acquire practical skills instead of solely relying on academic qualifications. Speaking at the academy's graduation ceremony in Abuja, Ugwuodo emphasized that holding academic certificates cannot guarantee economic survival in the face of increasing unemployment.

She pointed out that many graduates have remained jobless for years due to their reliance on white-collar jobs, even though opportunities exist in vocational and creative industries.

Ugwuodo stressed that practical skills are more valuable than certificates, urging young Nigerians to utilize the time spent seeking formal employment to develop skills and create products or services that meet market demands. Nigeria's vast population, she said, presents significant opportunities for local producers and entrepreneurs.

The fashion academy's leader also expressed concern over the financial challenges faced by small and medium-scale enterprises in the capital territory and called for a review of government empowerment programs.

Ugwuodo urged public institutions to prioritize supporting organizations with proven records of grassroots impact rather than focusing solely on publicity-driven initiatives. She stressed that government should shift its approach from merely offering empowerment programs to supporting institutions already providing sustainable skills and livelihoods to vulnerable Nigerians.