Exclusive Interview with Precious Olaoluwa Adedeji

There are three tiers to thoroughly harnessing digital skills; they are: learning, enhancing, and leveraging. 

By Victor Enyone Ojomah

Precious Olaoluwa Adedeji, 23, is a Business Consultant and Digital Skills trainer on the Google Digital Skills for Africa programme, he is the convener of Career Development Masterclass  a social service of RemotePro.

* What does you job entail?

I am a Business Consultant, my role primarily is to help Small and Medium Enterprises owners to start up, scale up, and grow their businesses using standard global principles that work in their local markets. As a Digital Skills trainer on the Google Digital Skills for Africa programme, I train young individuals on how to learn, enhance, and leverage digital skills to gain employment; and also help business owners use digital skills in growing their businesses. In the Career Development Masterclasses, we connect young individuals with young executives that have set the pace; this we do via panel and speaking sessions.

* How many youths have you trained?

I have successfully trained more than five thousand (5,000) young individuals

* What is your view on the present Digital environment in Nigeria? 

From my view, the digital environment in Nigeria has witnessed a lot of transformation in the recently concluded decade. The growing population of the young individuals have influenced the outstretched arms of multinationals and international companies to setup both free and affordable training programmes and institutes. The recent growth in the number of startups and innovative ideas has shown that the Nigerian Youths are not lazy; they are actively making efforts to stand out and break records globally

* Who are your Mentors?

I am a young man with many mentors, a few of them are:

Mr. Edward Esene

Mr. Adedola Atolagbe 

Dr. Bosade Ogunlana

* How do you source for founds to carry out your programs?

For the Career Development Masterclass, I seek for funds from individuals and organisations. A major chunk of the funding comes from me though.

* What challenges do you face in reaching your objectives? 

On this journey, each milestone has its own unique challenges. One major one across all milestones is finance; the logistics that goes into organizing free events and classes puts a lot of pressure on my personal finances. Another obstacle I am often faced with is the hostility of the system towards change and innovation.

* When you are not working, how do you spend your time?

When I am not working, I watch movies and hang out with friends.

* How can the youths benefits from Digital skills.

There are three tiers to thoroughly harnessing digital skills; they are: learning, enhancing, and leveraging. Every young individual should spend an ample of his early days learning new things on the internet, get a skill, master the skill, gain experience from it, and leverage them on several global platforms

* What is your advice for youths many who still have no job?

Being out of job is not an indication that an individual is lazy. You can lay your hands on several digital and vocational skills that can make you self-employed. 

If you still wish to build a career in formal organisations, take actionable steps in achieving this goal. The steps include:

Attend events and conferences

Have a standard up-to-date Curriculum Vitae

Intentional grow your personal brand

Position yourself on Social Media (especially LinkedIn)

Learn tips on job haunting

Prepare for interviews

Start with something

What project are you currently working on?

I am currently working on expanding the Career Development Masterclass programme to other states and regions of the country. I also look forward to hosting online conferences for participation beyond borders.

I was also recently onboard as an Online Safety Trainer on the nationwide Online Safety project for teachers in primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools. The project is organized by Google, Public & Private Development Centre, and the Ministry of Education.

How can prospective clients reach you?

I can be reached via E-mail, telephone call & messages, and social media

My e-mail: poadedeji@gmail.com

Phone number: +2348132121271

Social Media: @ThePOABrand (all across LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)