EAPEAN prioritises practical skills over certificates

The Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) has emphasized the importance of practical skills over academic certificates in addressing Nigeria's growing unemployment problem. At the association's 15th Annual General Meeting, held in Lagos, EAPEAN President Chief Nzeribe Okegbue called for urgent government action to prioritize vocational and technical skill development.

Okegbue noted that while education provides the foundation, practical skills are crucial for driving productivity and ensuring sustained employment in today's economy. He highlighted that academic qualifications alone are insufficient to guarantee employment due to a large influx of tertiary graduates into the job market and a shrinking number of white-collar positions.

Okegbue urged the government to strengthen skills acquisition programs, particularly those within the National Youth Service Corps, to transform job seekers into skill-driven value creators and help stem the rising tide of unemployment. He also stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the government, licensed recruitment agencies, and development partners to expand job opportunities and improve standards in the recruitment sector.

Okegbue emphasized that no single entity can tackle unemployment alone; public-private partnership is key to building an inclusive and resilient workforce. EAPEAN reported a membership growth from 302 to 355 during the review period, with 280 corporate members actively participating in its activities. The association's commitment to ethical recruitment, adherence to international labour standards, and statutory obligations, such as pension contributions and social insurance, was also highlighted.

Okegbue warned that member organizations paying workers below the statutory minimum wage of N70,000 were violating EAPEAN's standards and called for illegal operators to regularize their operations by joining the association.