Nexford University (NXU), a next-generation online university, weekend, graduated a total of 1,200 students, just as a former Minister of Education, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace the acquisition of skills set for the modern-day job market.

Speaking at 2024 graduation ceremony held in Lagos, Ezekwesili, a board member of NXU, explained that the job market was fast-changing and Artificial Intelligence would further revolutionise how work would be done globally.

“Whosoever you are, we want to see an objective solution that has come from you, because you got the best of skilled education. That’s what we pride ourselves for. The skilled education that you’ve achieved, is the 21st century skilled education,” she said.

She advised the graduands to “solve a problem and let your name be attached to that solution. It will be important. The fact is that when you go before board rooms these days, people don’t care about the certificates you’ve brought. They care about the complex situations that you can fix.”

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NXU, Fadl Al Tarzi, commended the graduates for their resilience, urging them to showcase real-time solutions that will change the world.

“We are really proud of our Nigerian students. Nexford will continue to help Nigerian students bridge skill gap to be able to fit into the real-world job market place globally.

“We are excited that over 75 per cent of our students have achieved their goal of investment with the quality of education and the value Nexford has afforded them,” he said.

In his keynote address, a former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, urged the graduates to influence change for a better society and make meaningful contributions to the economy.

“You have acquired more than anybody can acquire. If people in other countries go through the experience you pass through here, they won’t even pass. So go out there and influence change in the society that you live in.

“Don’t go about thinking about only making money. Go check anybody that makes meaningful wealth, they do so by creating value, by giving themselves out to serve the society. It is for you to help solve problems in the society,” he said.

Obi, who said he was not desperate to become president of Nigeria, decried the state of leadership in the country, and described it as “an imposition on the people.”

He urged the graduating students to embrace the spirit of servitude so as to lead effectively and “ignite the needed change”, adding that he was “desperate to see the country work”.

His words: “All of these that we are saying is for you to use it and ignite that change and support. It is not for you to start saying ‘I want to be in charge. I want to do this. I want to do that.

“When people say I am desperate, I say No. I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work because it can work.”

He said Nigerian youths must help to reignite the “right leadership that the country requires for development”.