Photo Credit: Vanguard Newspaper 

By: Abdullah Oladejo

A popular Yoruba adage says, “Your palms can never deceive you.” This timeless wisdom rings true in the world of apprenticeship. With the rising unemployment rate in Nigeria, many young people are turning to hands-on skills as a practical and sustainable alternative to white-collar jobs.

It  is common for  Nigerian parents to encourage their children to learn a trade or craft, either after or before completing their secondary school education. In 2021, Al Jazeera reported a significant rise in the number of Nigerian children entering apprenticeship programs.

The University of Ibadan is no exception to this growing trend, as some students actively engage in hands-on crafts, mastering valuable skills and charting paths toward financial self-reliance.

While some student apprentices acquired hands-on skills before gaining admission to the University, others picked them up after enrollment. These skills have since provided them with financial sufficiency.

Like in other crafts or professions, apprentices often face challenges and setbacks. For example, if a phone repairer accidentally damages a customer’s phone, they may be held responsible for the loss and required to cover the cost. Speaking to IndyPress, some student apprentices at the University of Ibadan shared the highs and lows attached to their endeavors.

From Apprentice to Business Owner

Adekunle Oluwatomisin, an Economics student, ventured into phone repair after gaining admission into the university. His apprenticeship started at Calcare Services in Agege, Lagos, and within a year and a half, he had opened his own shop.

He describes learning phone repair as one of the best decisions he has ever made, as the endeavor  quickly became lucrative for him.

Adekunle told IndyPress that his interest in  hardware  repair  was influenced by his parents, who were involved in the telecommunications industry.

According to him,  his  hands-on skill has not only provided him with financial stability but also contributed to his personal and professional growth. Through his business, he has   mentored  others and helped them build their careers.

“My interest in hardware engineering grew from my family background. I have always been around people involved in telecommunications and services. So it grew on me. ‎Then, I had the option to choose between software and hardware engineering, but I opted for hardware, because I’ve always fancied breaking down and fixing things,” Adekunle told IndyPress.

Adekunle emphasized the importance of discipline and setting clear priorities. While he acknowledged that it  can be easy  to become overwhelmed by the drive to make money,  he noted that staying focused on academic and personal development goals has kept him grounded.

Turning Passion into Craft

Mercy Oyebola, a 200-level student of Communication and Language Arts, is a part-time hairdresser. Known professionally as Rorian’s Touch, Mercy told IndyPress that she began learning  hairdressing from a local stylist in her neighborhood. Her determination to master the craft  was driven by the transformation she saw in customers’  appearances after their hair  was styled.

“My neighbour was a hairdresser too. I loved watching her style customers’ hair and witnessing how their entire look transformed afterward,” Mercy told IndyPress.

According to Mercy, one of the ways she improves is by staying open to feedback. Whenever customers are dissatisfied with her service, she offers sincere apology and turns a new leaf.

Mercy’s apprenticeship has not been without challenges, as she often struggles to strike a balance between her hands-on work and academic endeavors.

She explained, “There was one time I had to disappoint a customer because of schoolwork. I pleaded for the person’s forgiveness, telling her that  I am   a student.”

While Mercy values teamwork, she prefers to work independently and aims to own a large hairdressing salon studio.

Fashioning a Life of Independence

Ridwan, a student from the Faculty of the Social Sciences, is a skilled tailor who generates income by designing corporate suits, senator wear, and other styles of men’s clothing.  In an interview with IndyPress, he mentioned that his passion for tailoring  was born out of a strong desire for fashion.

“I started off just loving to dress well, that eventually drew me to tailoring. I really enjoyed  watching fashion designers make stylish clothes. It shows talent and professionalism,”  Ridwan said.

“When I  started my own business, I had to adapt to the situation because there was low patronage, despite rigorous advertisements,” he added.

He further explained that his decision to learn the craft stemmed not only from his passion for fashion but also from his desire to be financially sufficient.

Ridwan is, however, not without challenges as he struggles with the inconsistent power supply in his residential area, Agbowo, a significant concern, as his work relies heavily on electricity.

“For over three months now, the electricity in Agbowo has been really poor, and our brand has been really affected by the development, ”  Ridwan told IndyPress.

Unlike Mercy, Ridwan believes that the fashion industry demands teamwork rather than working independently.

The learning of practical skills has increasingly been prioritized in Nigeria due to the high unemployment rate in the country. At the University of Ibadan, some students embrace the hands-on crafts as a means of survival with some aiming to expand their  brands into full-fledged businesses even after graduation.