By Laju Iren

The unemployment rate in Nigeria is skyrocketing. Coincidentally, so is the need to create indigenous technology. Experts say that the opportunities for young graduates to launch new start ups instead of waiting for white collar jobs will not only do them, but the country’s economy a whole lot of good. This entrepreneurial spirit would even fly higher if it rides on the wings of mobile app technology.

Preaching this good news recently to female students at Babcock University in Ogun state was leading global mobile voice and text chat app, WeChat, who collaborated with MrsCEOnaija.com, and several other organisations to promote a workshop to provide career counselling tips for graduating female students of the Babcock University, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State.

Speaking at the workshop which had the theme, ‘After Graduation, What Next? It is Limitless opportunities,’ the Regional Manager, West Africa, WeChat, Mr. Idemudia Dima-Okojie harped on the need for businesses in the country, especially, young start-ups to embrace and incorporate the mobile app technology in their business plans if they are to grow and become successful.

He described the mobile phone business as one of the most rapidly growing industries in the world, with the smartphone practically taking over the lives of half the world’s population. According to him, today at least 50 per cent of the global smartphone users are hooked on touchscreens and mobile apps, especially the latter, due to its inherent benefits for business.

For instance, he said, the WeChat app has been enhanced with several features to help businesses reach out and interact with both their customers and prospects. One of these features, he disclosed, is the Official Account, whereby companies and organisations open an account within the WeChat app.

”With these Official Accounts on our app, these organisations can now interact with their customers and prospects like never before, and more and more businesses are utilizing this feature. Today we have the likes of Etisalat, Airtel, MTN, Jobberman, Dstv, Super Sport, Careers24, Beat FM, and many more on our Official Accounts platform.

Speaking also at the workshop, Mrs. Tolulope Adedejian, Founder of MrsCEOnaija.com, online female-centric blog, said the organisation was established to help raise financially empowered females for more balanced homes and community, by inspiring, coaching, enabling and facilitating women to have enhanced sources of income, either through career progression or business start-ups.