We Must Learn

We Must Learn is a capacity building and career guidance platform for young people. We will use the power of technology, artificial intelligence and mentorship to bridge information and skills gaps, to ensure that the 21st century Nigerian youth is no longer defined by the limitations in the education system.

The typical Nigerian student completes a University degree after spending between 15 and 17 years in the education system, only to realize that the system did not prepare him/her for the labour market. The skills gap is a huge issue in graduate employment because of degree-level teaching methods, which produce graduates with paper qualifications but very limited hands-on experience and critical thinking skills with little or no career guidance.

We will partner with employers to provide information about the type of skills they demand, and provide information to young people in or out of school about the gaps in their skills (course of study) using artificial intelligence through an online platform. Each person will have an account on our platform, where they receive personalized recommendations and information tailored to their interests. They will also receive information about job openings as they prepare to join the labour market.

There are large number of relevant online courses, materials and trainings that young people can access to prepare them for their future careers. These courses are only meaningful when people understand how they fit in with their goals and aspirations. We will review these resources and through mentorship and career guidance, guide young people on methods in which they can up-skill, so that by the time they are ready for their first job, they will be equipped with the necessary information and skills to function in these roles. 

 As we provide youth with relevant trainings and information for jobs and other future endeavors, we can begin to advocate for relevant education in Nigeria. The real change across the world will be to see a world where students no longer go through the education system only to graduate and start the actual skill acquisition process, but can receive relevant education within the education system. 

• The inability of the education system to instil the practical knowledge and skills in students;
• Universities are not equipped to provide career guidance for graduates;
• Employers face difficulties finding qualified applicants due to lack of relevant skills and training;
• Students lack access to relevant information about the skills they need to achieve their career goals;
• These skills and information gaps fuels the graduate unemployment situation in the economy.

On the 1st of May 2015; I, a young Nigerian woman began a job as a researcher at the University of Oxford. It was beyond anything I had ever imagined would happen to someone like me. I was given a gate pass, that gate pass was relevant education! It didn’t matter where I was from or my gender, my skill set was all that mattered. Relevant education and training can change lives and societies. 

The solution is tailored to young adults who have/are pursuing post-secondary education in Nigeria. The expected impact is that they become knowledgeable about the type of skills and training they need to pursue career goals. Access will be granted through online registration. 

They will get tailored information and support to make career decisions, relevant online resources, information about scholarships, job opportunities, internships and trainings. We Must learn will provide alternative models of education and skills development that bridge the gaps in the education system, in order to equip and empower young adults to become productive members of the economy.  

Track data from online registration - Young adults register online for access to the platform.

Complete a questionnaire about current status and career goals - Young adults carry out a needs assessment to identify the skills they need for their careers.

Request feed back from students that receive the recommendations/trainings. - Young adults receive online resources and recommended trainings based on their specified interests.

The solution is unique because it will provide youth in Nigeria personalized information and guidance in their fields/careers of interest leveraging on available technology. The internet is in abundance of resources, online trainings and information, but understanding how to use this information to upskill and meet their career goals is lacking. 

In the long run, We Must Learn will have gathered information through research and working with young people to be able to feedback into the education system on the gaps in the training for different disciplines in the education system. 

The Nigerian Youth is at the heart of our solution. Nigeria’s future is dependent on the human capital potential of her youth, and to prepare the youth for that future we must ensure that they learn, develop their skills and have opportunities to live their full potentials. 

We will use the power of technology to bridge information and skills gaps, with mentorship and empowerment to ensure that the 21st century Nigerian youth is no longer defined by the limitations in the current education system, which in turn helps them to contribute meaningfully to their families, communities and their nation.

The rise of technology in the 21st century means that information is more accessible than it was a decade ago. Through an online registration, young people will become members of We Must Learn online community. We will help them use their time on the internet meaningfully by taking tailored and personalized trainings and accessing information that will help them achieve their career goals. 

We will form partnerships with employers and trainers to provide affordable and accessible information for young people on the We Must Learn platform irrespective of their location in Nigeria.

• For students still enrolled in higher education, we will partner with universities to have a school licence model, where each school buys a licence to give access to students for up to one year after graduation. Essentially taking on the role of career advisers for students affiliated to the university. The licence is one income source to grow the business.
• For young adults no longer affiliated with a university, they can enroll on the “We Must Learn” platform through an affordable independent access licence.
• Paid advertisements for institutions and organisations seeking to recruit students/talents on our website and other platforms.
• Partnerships with organisations whose trainings will be reviewed and recommended for students.

Access to funds to develop the We Must Learn platform, recruit members of the team and begin the pilot phase with 3-5 universities in Nigeria.

The networking opportunities and collaborations with thought leaders on the platform is invaluable to my growth as an individual, and the development and success of the solution "We Must Learn" proposes. 

Oxford University Innovation.

No known competitor