Volunteerism, innovation and civic capability may be Nigeria’s most overlooked workforce development strategy.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of young Nigerians graduate with ambition, qualifications and hope. Yet for many, the transition from education to meaningful work remains uncertain—not simply because jobs are scarce, but because the capabilities increasingly demanded by today’s economy are rarely developed through formal education alone.
In an era marked by artificial intelligence, climate change and shifting labour markets, the question is no longer simply whether young people will find jobs, it is whether they are being equipped with the consciousness to create value in a rapidly changing world.
This global shift demands a fundamental rethink of how societies prepare young people for work. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 identifies analytical thinking, resilience, creativity, leadership, technological literacy and lifelong learning among the fastest-growing workforce capabilities. These are not merely technical competencies; they are deeply human capabilities that enable individuals to navigate uncertainty and contribute meaningfully across sectors.
Yet a growing disconnect persists between education and employment. According to the International Labour Organization, one in five young people globally are not in employment, education or training (NEET), underscoring that the challenge extends beyond job creation to the effectiveness of pathways that prepare young people for meaningful work.
For Africa, this challenge carries both urgency and opportunity.
Home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, Africa is projected to account for an increasing share of the global workforce over the coming decades. This demographic dividend has the potential to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth. However, it is not population size that determines prosperity, it is the systems that develop people’s capabilities.
Across the continent, employers consistently report shortages in practical skills such as problem-solving, communication, collaboration and adaptability. While investments in education have expanded access to learning, many graduates continue to struggle with the transition from classrooms to workplaces. Too often, academic achievement is not matched by opportunities to apply knowledge in real-world settings.
This is particularly evident in Nigeria as one of the youngest countries in the world, with roughly two-thirds of its population under the age of 25.
Nigeria possesses one of the largest youth populations globally. Every year, hundreds of thousands of graduates enter an increasingly competitive labour market where traditional employment opportunities cannot keep pace with demand. While unemployment and underemployment remain pressing concerns, they are symptoms of a broader challenge: the need to strengthen the capabilities that enable young people to create opportunities, lead change and respond to evolving economic realities.
Preparing young people for the future of work therefore requires expanding our understanding of workforce development. It is not enough to focus solely on formal employment. We must also invest in the experiences that cultivate leadership, innovation, civic responsibility and practical problem-solving.
Nigeria’s future competitiveness will depend not only on the jobs it creates but on the capabilities it cultivates. This is what I describe as the “Civic Capability Economy”an economy where volunteerism, innovation, civic participation and practical leadership are recognised as strategic investments in national productivity, institutional resilience and sustainable development.
Volunteerism represents one of the most overlooked yet powerful pathways for achieving this.
Too often, volunteerism is perceived as unpaid labour or an act of goodwill. In reality, structured volunteer engagement functions as experiential learning. It places young people in environments where they learn to manage projects, work with diverse stakeholders, communicate effectively, adapt to complex challenges and develop solutions rooted in community realities. These are precisely the capabilities increasingly sought by employers, entrepreneurs and global institutions alike.
This broader understanding of volunteerism has gained global recognition. The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development (IVY 2026), calling for renewed investment in volunteerism as a catalyst for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative reflects a growing recognition that volunteerism extends beyond acts of service; it strengthens social cohesion, expands civic participation, supports resilient institutions and creates pathways for young people to acquire practical leadership and workforce capabilities.
Civic capability is the ability of individuals to collaborate across sectors, participate in public problem-solving, build trust and contribute to stronger institutions. As societies confront increasingly interconnected challenges—from climate resilience to digital transformation and public health—these capabilities become essential not only for employment but also for sustainable development.
International experience reinforces this perspective. Countries such as Germany and Switzerland have long recognised the value of experiential learning through dual education systems that combine classroom instruction with practical workplace experience. While their models may differ, they share a common principle: meaningful learning happens through participation, shared responsibility and real-world application.
Nigeria already possesses an important foundation in this regard through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
For over five decades, NYSC has mobilised graduates to serve communities across the country. Yet its greatest untapped potential may lie beyond typical national service itself. Rather than viewing the programme primarily as a transitional year, it can be reimagined as a national youth system for developing future-ready capabilities through innovation, climate action, digital skills, participatory research, entrepreneurship and civic leadership.
Imagine a system where service becomes a laboratory for solving local development challenges; where corps members work alongside communities to co-design solutions; where volunteerism contributes to stronger institutions while simultaneously enhancing employability and enterprise creation. Such a model would not only prepare young Nigerians for work but also prepare them to shape the future of work.
This perspective aligns with the broader vision of Human Sustainability.
Human Sustainability recognises that sustainable development ultimately depends on people’s capacity to participate, collaborate and strengthen the institutions that shape everyday life. Economic growth, climate action and governance cannot be sustained without investing in the human capabilities that enable societies to respond to change with resilience and innovation.
Volunteerism, therefore, should no longer be viewed as peripheral to development policy. It is an investment in leadership, social cohesion, institutional resilience and workforce readiness. It creates spaces where young people develop confidence, practical experience and a deeper understanding of the communities they seek to serve.
As Africa positions itself within an increasingly knowledge-driven global economy, the conversation must evolve beyond employment statistics alone. The continent’s greatest asset is not simply its youthful population but its capacity to nurture citizens who can think critically, innovate responsibly, strengthen institutions and create shared value.
The future of work will belong to societies that invest not only in jobs, but in people. For Africa, volunteerism, innovation and civic capability are not alternatives to employment—they are essential foundations for building a workforce capable of shaping a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable future.
-Deborah Onwuegbu, a development practitioner, is the founder and CEO of Trophy Sustainable Africa.
(The Whistler)