Daebridge will Address Nigeria’s Unemployment, Skills Gap, Says Tutu

A United Kingdom based Nigerian, Soetan Tutu has launched a mentor -matching application, Daebridge for youths, school leavers and students in Nigeria.

Tutu, who spoke to journalists yesterday on the rationale behind the App, noted that Nigeria currently faces significant challenges of unemployment and skills gaps in key industries

The Founder posited Most secondary school students in Nigeria lack access to professional networks and career guidance, while junior professionals struggle with career advancement due to limited opportunities for mentorship.

She lamented over limited mentorship platforms dedicated to linking young students, school leavers, or university students with professionals.

Meanwhile, the Founder explained that Daebridge will transform Nigeria’s human capital landscape by delivering measurable improvements across three critical areas.

She stated that there will be an increase in post-secondary enrolment to the university by 50percent, Improve employment rates by 35percent, and enhance STEM career participation by 60percent, while reducing time-to-employment by 40percent and boosting starting salaries by 35percent.

Soetan added that the economic impact will be transformative, contributing an estimated 4.8 trillion to GDP over 10 years through improved productivity, reducing youth unemployment by 18percent, cutting skills gaps by 25percent, and generating $2.1 trillion in reduced social welfare costs.

“The reasons for initiating this platform called Daebridge are glaring. Nigeria currently faces significant challenges, including unemployment (currently around 30percent (Global Data, 2024)) and skills gaps in key industries.

“Most secondary school students in Nigeria lack access to professional networks and career guidance, while junior professionals struggle with career advancement due to limited opportunities for mentorship.

“There is limited mentorship platforms dedicated to linking young students, school leavers, or university students with professionals. In contrast, traditional mentorship platforms rely on personal connections and informal networks, which exclude many talented individuals.

“Transform Nigeria’s human capital landscape by delivering measurable improvements across three critical areas.

“Increase post-secondary enrolment to the university by 50 percent improve employment rates by 35 percent and enhance STEM career participation by 60percent while reducing time-to-employment by 40 percent and boosting starting salaries by 35percent.

“The economic impact will be transformative, contributing an estimated 4.8 trillion to GDP over 10 years through improved productivity, reducing youth unemployment by 18 percent, cutting skills gaps by 25percent, and generating $2.1 trillion in reduced social welfare costs.” She said.

This was just as Tutu aimed to partner with NGOs, Government organisations and Corporate companies to integrate the DaeBridge mentorship platform into their existing career guidance curriculum.