SPECIAL REPORT: Informal Sector Opens Up As Developed Economies Create Employment For Techy Nigerians

Some countries with buoyant economies such as Canada, Germany and Australia are currently taking steps to attract Nigerians who are vocationally and technically savvy, with a view to opening more economic pathways to wealth.

The expansion of talent pool which is primarily aimed at boosting the economies of the host countries is expected to offer players in the informal sector the privilege of migrating to the developed nations where they will engage in blue-collar jobs that fall within the purview of their profession and in turn, cash out in hard currency.

More Nigerians especially the young school leavers have reportedly put aside their higher school certificates to enroll in various vocational trainings that will fetch them technical skills while those who had already acquired the knowledge have started putting it into practice so as to gain mastery of the job and prepare for the future.

Technical skills such as Bricklaying, Tailoring, Carpentering, Welding, Plumbing and others are said to be the primary target of the countries that have recently thrown their doors open for technicians in this field to come in. 

According to Olamide Adeleye, a Lagos based Human Development researcher, the demand for blue-collar skills by these countries has made them more attractive to Nigerians and encourage more people to acquire such skills that are considered less important.

He revealed that the development has greatly changed the perception people have about the informal sector as the younger ones are now aspiring to create careers towards that line of work.

Adeyeye who confirmed that the move has provided some significant level of dignity and validation to the sector, also noted that part of the reasons tech is attractive today is because it is internationally marketable and that the demand for vocational and technical skills creates opportunities for the vulnerable people who also want to emigrate.

According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the fundamental purpose of technical and vocational education is to equip people with skills that can broaden their opportunities in life, preparing them for the world of work and providing them with the skills necessary for self-employment.

In June 2023, the German parliament approved a new immigration law to attract skilled workers from the non-European Union countries with non-academic training to address labour market gaps in the country.

The law which is expected to take effect this month, November 2023, March 2024 and June 2024, includes a points-based system that lowers entry hurdles for applicants according to their professional qualifications, age and language skills.

Two months later, Canada unveiled an immigration pathway for carpenters, plumbers and welders from other countries including Nigeria.

Then in September, the Australian government announced a Construction Visa Subsidy Program, which offers financial incentives of up to 10,000 Australian dollars to encourage people from Nigeria and other nations to relocate.

With the Nigeria’s current economic challenges such as high inflation, unemployment and fragile economic growth coupled with the seemingly intractable insecurity, there seems to be enough reason for Nigerians especially those in the informal sector to embrace this offer and leave the country for greener pastures regardless of how much it will cost them.