The Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC) has organised a one-day digital skills acquisition programme for undergraduate students from tertiary institutions in Benue State.

The programme, tagged “Turning Point,” was held on Tuesday at the auditorium of Moses Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), formerly Benue State University.

Addressing the students at the event, the Group Managing Director of BIPC, Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, said the initiative was designed to equip young people with relevant digital skills needed to face the challenges of the modern labour market.

He stressed that the era when graduates automatically secured jobs after leaving the university had passed, noting that students must now acquire practical and digital skills to remain competitive.

According to him, thousands of students graduate from universities every year, but job opportunities remain limited.

Dr. Asemakaha disclosed that about 9,000 graduates were produced by the university last year, while over 7,000 graduates are expected this year, pointing out that the available job opportunities cannot accommodate everyone.

He explained that due to the shortage of relevant skills among applicants, organisations are sometimes forced to recruit personnel from outside the state.

The BIPC boss therefore urged students to go beyond academic certificates and focus on acquiring digital and entrepreneurial skills that would make them relevant in the labour market after graduation.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of Students Affairs at Moses Adasu University, Mr. Nelson Aleyibo, commended the management of BIPC, under the leadership of Dr. Asemakaha, for organising the programme to empower students with practical skills.

He noted that in the 21st century, skills acquisition has become essential for success in the labour market, stressing that academic certificates alone are no longer sufficient.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Gobir Ismail encouraged the students to remain focused and committed to their studies while developing the right mindset for success.

He emphasised that the modern world is driven by digital technology, noting that students must acquire internet and digital skills to remain relevant both in Nigeria and globally.

He further advised students to prioritise creativity, originality and hard work, rather than relying on shortcuts such as copying and pasting information without developing their own knowledge and abilities.