In a bold move to address one of Nigeria’s less visible economic challenges, philanthropist and policy advocate Bamidele Atoyebi has called on the federal government to confront the issue of disguised unemployment. This form of underemployment, where individuals are employed but not fully utilizing their skills, is seen as a significant barrier to national productivity and personal growth.
Atoyebi, who recently commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, highlighted disguised unemployment as a critical area that needs immediate attention. “Disguised unemployment occurs when employees hold jobs that do not fully utilize their skills or contribute meaningfully to productivity,” Atoyebi stated in an interview. He underscored that without addressing this, Nigeria risks squandering its human capital, leading to diminished economic output and a drain on government resources.
The issue of disguised unemployment is particularly poignant in government sectors where workers might be present but not contributing effectively to their roles. This not only affects productivity but also the morale of the workforce, potentially stifling innovation and ambition.
To combat this, Atoyebi proposed measures such as skill mapping and job realignment to ensure employees are placed in roles that match their skills and capabilities. He also advocated for investment in training to enhance worker skills for meeting evolving economic demands, the implementation of performance-based metrics to reward productivity, innovation, and efficiency over mere attendance, policy reforms to encourage mobility within government roles, and fostering public-private partnerships to help public servants transition into the private sector where their skills might be more in demand.
Atoyebi’s advocacy comes at a time when Nigeria is looking to leverage its young, dynamic population to push forward in global markets. His call is not just for economic reform but for a cultural shift towards recognizing and valuing true productivity.
Government officials have yet to respond to Atoyebi’s specific proposals, but the issue of disguised unemployment has sparked discussions among policy makers and economic analysts. There is a growing consensus that addressing this malaise could lead to significant improvements in both national productivity and individual career satisfaction.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its economic landscape, the spotlight on disguised unemployment by figures like Bamidele Atoyebi could herald a new era where the focus is not just on employment numbers but on the quality and impact of employment.
