Six Skills You Must Master to Escape Unemployment and Underemployment in Today’s World of Work

 


Introduction

In today’s Nigeria, the challenge is not just about finding a job it is about finding a job that pays enough to sustain you and your family. Many people are already working, yet their take-home pay cannot take them home. This underemployment trap is draining, but the good news is that it is not permanent. By deliberately upskilling yourself, you can reposition for better opportunities or even create new ones. Here are six skills that can help you break free:

#1. Digital Literacy and Tech Savviness

In the 21st century, the workplace is digital. From smartphones to cloud platforms, everything runs on tech. If you are digitally literate, you can fit into almost any industry. You can learn it on free platforms like Google Digital Skills for Africa, Coursera, and YouTube tutorials. For instance, a teacher can learn Canva and earn extra money designing flyers for local events. A secretary can learn Excel and become indispensable in office data management.

👉  Spend at least 30 minutes a day learning one digital tool that can add value to your current role or side hustle.

#2. Communication and Storytelling Skills



The ability to express yourself clearly in writing, speaking, and listening is one of the fastest ways to stand out. You can learn it through the following:Join Toastmasters clubs, volunteer to speak at church/mosque or community events, or take free public speaking courses online. This can help you in several ways; negotiating a raise, pitching your side hustle, or even handling customers all depend on communication skills.

👉👉 Practice your communication daily. Record yourself speaking for two minutes on any topic and listen back. Improvement starts with awareness.

#3. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

Employers don’t just want workers; they want people who can think. If you can analyze problems and come up with workable solutions, you become too valuable to ignore. How to learn it:Read widely, join debates, and take free problem-solving courses online. For example, a junior staff member in a government office who suggests a simple workflow improvement can get noticed for leadership potential.

👉 The next time you see a problem at work, don’t just complain; propose a solution. That small act could change your career trajectory.

#4. Leadership Skills

Leadership is not about titles but influence. Employers look for people who can take initiative, rally others, and deliver results. How to learn it: Volunteer in community projects, lead a small group at work, or take free leadership courses online. A sales rep who mentors new staff shows leadership potential and positions for promotion.

👉  Don’t wait until you are promoted before you lead. Start where you are, and leadership opportunities will find you.

#5. Entrepreneurship and Adaptability

With Nigeria’s shrinking job market, entrepreneurship is no longer optional; it’s a survival. Even if you have a job, a side hustle can be your safety net. How to learn it: Mentorship from local entrepreneurs, online business courses, or apprenticeships. A lecturer or banker might start a poultry farm. A nurse can launch an online thrift clothing store etc.

👉 Start with what you know and what you have. Even ₦20,000 can launch a mini business that grows into a second income stream.

#6. Financial Literacy

Earning more is good, but managing what you earn is even better. Many underemployed workers sink deeper because they lack financial discipline. How to learn it: Books like The Richest Man in Babylon, podcasts on money management, or free courses from investment platforms. For instance, a civil servant who sets aside ₦5,000 monthly into a cooperative can later use it to launch a side agro-business.

👉 Start today by tracking every naira you spend for a week. Awareness is the first step to control.

Final Word

Underemployment is a real challenge in Nigeria, but it is not a life sentence. By deliberately picking up these six skills, you can reposition yourself for better-paying opportunities, promotions, or even self-employment. The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is today.

By NextGen Spectrum Editorial


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