In a thought-provoking message that has sparked debate across Nigeria, Charles Awuzie, CEO of Gembok Group, has challenged the narrative of university graduates pushing wheelbarrows to survive in today's economy. His message comes at a time when many young Nigerians lament limited opportunities despite their education.
The Contrast: Then and Now
Awuzie recounts his own university experience from years ago, highlighting how he and his peers created opportunities for themselves despite not having today's technological advantages. "In my time, without AI and social media, coming from a humble background, in my 4th year in the university, I had enough money to take my girlfriend on an all-expense paid vacation in Accra, Ghana," he shares.
He mentions contemporaries who established successful businesses while still in school. Dr. Temple owned a popular fast food joint called Flexi in his final year, while Arc. Henry was behind the well-known Twinkles in Okigwe. Awuzie himself juggled multiple ventures as a student – running an IT business, pastoring, hosting international conferences, and traveling across Africa for speaking engagements.
No Excuses in the Digital Age
The entrepreneur expresses bewilderment at today's graduates resorting to pushing wheelbarrows despite having access to technologies and platforms that didn't exist during his time. "Which kind university una dey go this time that a university graduate will not create jobs but resort to wheelbarrow pushing?" he questions.
Contrary to what some might expect, Awuzie refuses to praise such survival tactics as being "better than crime." Instead, he takes a firm stance: "Mediocrity and crime are both wrongs against humanity - none should be tolerated."
"There are massive opportunities in today's world than when I left university. If you can't succeed today, you would have been worse 15 years ago."
The Call for Creativity and Innovation
Awuzie uses a compelling analogy to drive home his point about the importance of innovation: "If a Chinese graduate finds a wheelbarrow, he will turn it into a robot that will push him around and not him pushing the wheelbarrow. A little bit of creativity makes the difference."
His message challenges Nigerian graduates to look beyond conventional employment and survival tactics, instead embracing creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation – especially in this era of artificial intelligence and social media where opportunities abound for those willing to think differently.
The Bigger Picture
While some may view Awuzie's perspective as harsh, it raises important questions about education, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility in Nigeria's challenging economic landscape. Are universities equipping students with the right mindset and skills? Are graduates fully exploring the opportunities available in today's digital economy?
The conversation initiated by Awuzie's message is particularly relevant as Nigeria grapples with high unemployment rates among graduates and increasing pressure on young people to create their own opportunities rather than waiting for traditional employment.
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