In many advertorials for employment, there is usually an age bar which always restricts job seekers nearing 30 from applying for jobs. EMMANUEL ADENIYI looks at the reasons behind this and concludes that, aside the redefining of the middle class age, continual disruptions in school calendar make an applicant older than he should be at graduation.

JAMES Okechukwu, 36, is a graduate of Sociology.  After completing his one year mandatory youth service corps in Sokoto State in 2007, he virtually visited almost all companies in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in search of a good job. James left the University of Ibadan with a good grade in 2006 with a high hope that all would be well. Apart from having a very poor background which slowed down his academic pursuits, he equally lost his uncle who was fending for him when he was in year two. The Imo State born promising man had to fight a long battle with poverty throughout his stay in UI. When he graduated eventually, he had hoped securing a good job would assuage his sufferings and past harrowing experiences.

Four years have passed, James is yet to get employed. The best he has got in a couple of years was an offer from a private secondary school to help teach junior secondary school students Social Studies with a meagre salary. He had gone for interviews in some blue chip companies but had been screened out due to what the managements of the companies called ‘old age’.  Yet to get married, James told this reporter that he had lost his will to live, noting that as an unemployed graduate life had dealt him barrages of blows.

James’ pathetic story is reminiscent of what an average Nigerian graduate passes through. The labour market is already saturated, hence the outrageous and stringent requirements often stipulated by few employers in the country for millions of candidates seeking employment for a few slots in their companies.

Apart from asking candidates to have good grades, most employers of labour in Nigeria often set age limit for job seekers and also require them to have certain years of experience depending on the companies and positions being applied for.

In its graduate trainees recruitment, which ended recently, one of the leading new generation banks in Nigeria, put maximum age of 24 years old for potential job applicants. The bank specifically stated that any applicant’s  year of  birth  should not exceed 1987. Many consulting companies operating in the country often stipulate age limits ranging from 22 to 27 for job applicants.

A source in Access told Sunday Tribune that setting age limit was one of the ways employers of labour sieve millions of job applicants who run after few positions, noting that it was also the bank’s policy  to recruit young, intelligent and teachable school graduates who can fit in into the bank’s system. She said that it was a global trend as employers only recruit young applicants who are expected to grow on the job and eventually reach the top management level of their companies.

“Age is a factor in employment issue. It is believed by some employers that some tasks are better performed by individuals who fall within certain age bracket. It is a psychological thing. When you employ applicants close to their late 20s or early 30s, you have succeeded in bringing to your company people who may be battling with a number of psychological issues within them.

Issues such as marriage, educational commitment (for those who still want to continue their education), health and many others could interfere and serve as a disturbance in their jobs. The ultimate effects of this would affect the turn-over of the company where these people are working. It is believed that having a healthy staff with little or no physical or emotional burdens would also help in producing a healthy company with no burdens whatsoever.

“Our bank is not the only one that sets age limit, virtually all other banks operating in Nigeria do it, and the reason is not far fetched: to reduce cost of training and prevent bringing on board individuals who have nothing to offer. We only need more manageable and productive people who can easily imbibe our organisation culture,” the source said.



Speaking with a psychologist on whether age could impact one’s performance, Dr. Tunde Olaoye of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, told Sunday Tribune that developmental psychology has truly established a nexus between one’s age and performance, either in the area of job delivery, sexual performance or life pursuits. He said as individuals age, they become introspective, thinking about a wide range of issues that shape their lives. “At this level, a lot of psychomotor actions taken by them affect them if they are working. When an individual has had turbulence sojourning through life and has encountered many daunting challenges, the possibility of getting affected by these stored up experiences could affect one’s choices and actions, because his actions will provide outlets for them. An old person that has gone through life ordeals is not likely to perform favourably on the job, because his performance will definitely be impacted by his past bad experiences. Many employers are aware of this. Pay a visit to some companies; you will see the way the workers there behave. In the civil service, banks and many other companies providing services to members of the public, you will be amazed at the way the employees there behave. They bark at you at the slightest provocation and ignore you as if you were an ant. Haven’t you encountered uncouth cashiers in a banking hall who will talk down on you as if you were their baby? It is as a result of their emotional upheavals and scores of bad experiences which they often let loose on customers who require their services. Companies, who know these, have devised means to put a stop to it. This is why most of them come up with age limit to employ good-mannered, intelligent and young school leavers whom they believe will not be difficult to relate with,” Dr. Olaoye noted.

A management consultant, who currently works in a leading employment consulting companies in Lagos, Ms. Bola Durojaiye-Jones, informed Sunday Tribune that her company had, in the last six months, received a large number of applications from job applicants. She said a look at the certificates and applications received from Nigerian job seekers showed graduates with good grades, but over aged. ‘Our clients gave specific instructions to recruit young school leavers, aged between 24 and 27. There is nothing we can do about it. We have to follow their instructions and get them what they want.

“They know that applicants are many, they are also aware of the dysfunctional nature of the nation’s educational system, yet they must source for employees from this dysfunctional system, hence their resolve to employ younger persons who can be trained and retrained in order to bring out the best in them. Bringing in old graduates is not cost effective, because most of them may amount to a waste, even when you have trained them and sent them for refresher courses,’’ Ms. Bola added.

When asked who is an old person, the consultant, said the prevailing socio-economic situations in the country, had changed the notion of age, saying an old person in Nigeria’s setting is someone who is beyond 27 years of age. ‘Middle age has been redefined here. It is no longer 40. It is around 27 or thereabouts. The fact of the matter is that nobody will employ you once you are above 27, because of productivity issue. Young persons tend to be more productive than the older folks,’’ Ms. Bola affirmed.

Nigeria’s labour law seems to be silent about age discrimination or age factor in the nation’s labour sector. Nigeria’s Labour Act of 1990, for example, is mute about  the issue of age discrimination in employment. The relevant section of the Act only talks about the conditions on which a young person can work. Section 59, sub-sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 only state the conditions on which a young person can work in the country.

However, the U.K Age Discrimination in Employment Act  of 2006 makes it unlawful for employers to discriminate against a person on the basis of age. This applies to all age group. In the US, there are regulations that give protection to older workers. Once one is within the legal working age, one cannot be denied employment on the basis of being old or too old. Many Western countries have followed suit by domesticating this legislation to protect the rights of employable citizens.

An Ilorin-based lawyer, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the National Human Rights Commission and the National Assembly have failed to notice this discrepancy, noting that employers of labour in the country ought to be called to order and be mandated to desist from the practice. “No nation can develop where a section of its population is rendered unemployed not on the basis of their competence but because they are old.

In advanced countries, emphasis is placed on productivity, competence and performance and not on age factor. It is ridiculous. The National Assembly, labour unions and the National Human Rights Commission have failed in their responsibilities, because they have covertly encouraged unemployment in the country by not calling employers of labour in the country to order,’’ the lawyer stated.

A job seeker, Gbolahan Adeleye, blamed prolonged school sessions for the late completion of education by many Nigerian graduates. He added that incessant industrial actions embarked upon by teaching and non teaching staff in the nation’s ivory towers had made many of them spent many years in school than necessary.

“A normal educational system ought to make one become a graduate at the age of 23, 24 or thereabouts, but in Nigeria, it is not like that because you have to add years wasted by ASUU, NASU and students unrest; by the time you put everything together, you would have spent close to eight or nine years pursuing a course that ought to last four years and ultimately become a graduate at 29, 30 or 32,’’ he lamented.

Stakeholders in the labour sector have, therefore, called on the Federal Government to revise its labour law, so as to cater for the interests of the disadvantaged who are denied jobs because of their age. They said if the nation’s labour law is not revised to accommodate relevant sections to protect job seekers, many competent and intelligent Nigerian graduates would be left roaming the streets, a situation they described as being counter productive.

Culled from http://tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/features/4247-30-and-an-applicant--agonies-of-the-unemployed-over-aged-graduates

Again2:

How much is maintenance fees for schools outside london?

Note: The Home Office recognises students who have spent at least six months in a course of study in the UK prior to applying for a new student visa extension,hence the concession of only having to show £1200 in you account for 28 days,being maintenance fee for two months (outside London) and i think £1600 for students inside London.

megeness:

Hey Guys, I am currently doing my post graduate in business administration and I intend to continue with my masters of business administration in the same university. My issues are as follows:

1. I put the required 1200 pounds for my maintenance in my bank account and the 28th day will be on the 29th of June 2011.

2. My current visa will expire on the 20th of July, 2011.

3. the balance of my school fees is 1250 pounds which i will pay before i apply for an extension.

I need to know if the time gap between when i apply and when my visa expires is appropriate, that is, i wont get penalized for applying too late and also, if i am legal 2 remain in the UK while my application is being processed, I really need your help guys, cheers

Most important consideration is the start date of your next course(if its more than one month after the expiration of your current visa,then you'd better go home to apply), secondly,if the school is outside London and you have already paid in full by application date,then you are ok with the £1200 in your account for 28 days (inclusive weekends and bank holidays)

MPEROR:

What is SHOWBOY?

Ponmo (hide)

airmark:

@ OP, wait a minute are you sure you quoted Osaze correctly. If he spoke sentences like these. He should better stick to russian or belgian languages.  

very true.e be like say the guy dey use translation software translate from russian/belgian to english

eldee:

Of course they are . . . they don't make money off their £150 album, and if you want to see the big stars you've gotta pay.
I paid £70 to see Jay-Z and Coldplay last summer . . . Tuface and M.I are Jay-Z and Beyonce to Nigeria, why should it be any less??

It's not by force . . . when y'all stop going, they'll drop the prices.

Please compare the economy of England and Nigeria.Inspite of the recession ravaging them in England,they still have higher purchasing power than in Nigeria.May be easier for more people to pay £70 to watch a show than for most Nigerians to watch a show for N10,000

Just simple economic calculations here and we will be able to determine if the charges are ridiculous/reasonable.

If the number of people that are on less than N25,000 per month in the country is around 70%, is it reasonable for them to go watch a comedy show with more than half or even just a third or quarter of your salary?

watch the debate on Post study work visa by the British Parliament here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/bbc_parliament/watchlive

its really important as the VCs try to defend the scheme as the cancellation would lead to outright drop in the number of international students who subsidize the home students pay which is said to be around £5 Billion

Guys, this is the latest news on Internet Explorer security flaws

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2011/02/02/microsoft-warns-of-security-flaw/

unrepentant glutton (for allocating N1.5 Million as daily feeding allowance at Aso Rock)

indescribably dumb

IKPE (JUSTICE) AKPAN- Tutor Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver,Canada


Justice Akpan, Lecturer: Information Systems and Decision Sciences, holds a PhD in Management Science (Operational Research) from Lancaster University and a Master of Science degree in Software Development from Leeds Metropolitan University, both in the United Kingdom. His areas of research include three-dimensional (3D) visualization and decision-support systems, application of virtual reality in discrete-event simulation, web-based simulation, usability engineering, e-business operations and business process re-engineering. As an active researcher, he has published papers in the areas of 3D visualization and applications of virtual reality in computer simulation.

Dr Akpan has previously taught a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Information Technology and Management/Decision Sciences in two different continents including Western Europe (United Kingdom) and Africa. Some of these courses include Introduction to Computer Programming, E-business Applications Development, Systems Design with Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Rational Rose, Operations Management, Statistics, Quantitative Methods for Management and Introduction to Business Management.

Justice is also a highly qualified IT professional and as worked as Software Developer, Business Systems Analyst and Consultant for private companies, government departments, educational institutions and public services in the UK, USA, Canada and Africa.

Aks:

@ Justwise-- thank you, your contribution really helped me and put me in the right direction
@ tjadeba-- i can't forget your post on page 25 & 26 that changed my thought about the application
@ tylosgirl-- thanks for your post on page 26
@ all-- thank you, for those waiting for their VISA, i know we'll all get positive result
These are the documents my brother submitted: University certificate (no transcript), WAEC certificate, statement of account from GTB (deposited money on 5th July, printed it out on 2nd AUG) with a back up letter from the bank (he didn't credit nor debit the account b4 printing the statement), a copy of CAS statement & a strong personal statement.

easy does it bruv, thanks n am happy for u n ur brother

tjadeba:

yea,you would still be given 10%,you are right.Housing is like £50-£100 per week(excluding bills), but african food is expensive here (a little bit than in London),But you wont really need to get around in public transportation during term time cos the school bus takes students freely and most students live in houses on the school bus route.I hope you got my point

this is the official and regulated private student housing list, could be of help

http://housing.port.ac.uk/lists/housinglistnew.pdf

then try portsmouth gumtree,

justwise:

Sadly i did not, studied my undergrad in another uni here, yes Portsmouth is very moderate compared to others i have checked out.
They also give 10% GOAL Award to foreign students.

I don't know much about the cost of living there, most especially the accommodation.

yea,you would still be given 10%,you are right.Housing is like £50-£100 per week(excluding bills), but african food is expensive here (a little bit than in London),But you wont really need to get around in public transportation during term time cos the school bus takes students freely and most students live in houses on the school bus route.I hope you got my point

justwise:

Are u in Portsmouth?

Sure,i am, and i hope you know the fees are moderate compared to other good universities around, would have been ok if you studied for your undergrad there cos yu'd be entitled to the 20% alumni discount like in my case

Femtopsy:

Thanks for the response, so where did you eventually do your MSc?

Oga,come to Portsmouth,its actually a good school for international students, inbox me on my yahoo email(its here in my profile) when yu wanna come, it would be nice meeting you in person.

nze-boy:

Hello all, I have always followed with great interest, the contents of this forum, and it formed part of my research while processing my entry clearance, i must commend the unalloyed and sincere help, assistance, advice and encouragement, most especially from Justwise,
I have been issued my entry clearance to the UK, and I have also decided to share my experience with everyone, knowing that surely it will help somebody somewhere, feel free to ask your questions,
I applied on the 27 July and it took them over 15 working days to issue me the clearance on the 18 august
One thing I have learnt is that, as much as possible follow the rules and guidance and make your application as simple as possible but with quality, i submitted the following documents
-transcript (the same one i used to secure my admission) because my certificate wasn't ready
a 3-month bank statement and a reference letter from my bank
notification of degree result, just to back up my transcript, because it wasn't sealed and it wasn't addressed to BHC
an official receipt for my part payment from the school, thou the school sent me a mail that they have uploaded it to my CAS, but i didn't want to take chances,
one passport photo,
and visa forms
I didn't submit any CAS letter because the school told me it is not necessary, that i might submit at my own discretion (but i said earlier about simplifying your application), i only filled in my CAS number into the Visa forms
And remember to put photocopies of all the documents u are submitting dUring your application.
One lesson! the staff of VFS are either ignorant or are not informed about visa guidance and processes, A staff insisted that i must submit a CAS letter, but I stood my ground that it is not necessary, she only looked at me as a fool, but now i think I have been justified,
God will see everyone through, hope to see u guys at the top.

Exactly what i always say here

Femtopsy:

Hello justwise and co, pls tell me if one can apply with just the CAS number without a CAS letter. As it is now the only supporting documents I have is my degree certificate which is the only document stated in the CAS, and my personal bank statement for my maintainance funds. Am I safe?

i have told this forum time and again that as of today,the BHC follows strictly the tier-4 guideline as written in the UKBA website.In there,i havent seen where they mentioned anything about source of income and please i stand to be corrected- i havent seen or hear anyone denied a tier-4 visa for lack of evidence to proof the money deposited in the account.And until that rule changes,i dont think there would be need for some of these other documents.

So Mr,apply with the documents- your completely filled visa application forms,degree cetificate and bank statement (in your name or parent's) covering at least 28-days before submission with the required funds as its a strictly point based system and also not forgetting to check your CAS letter contains the right information. I used only these three documents for my own visa.

Thanks

better to go in person than emails or calls.i have had issues after my visa was granted some time ago n i approached the security details with much explanation n they did allow me in n pronto,i was cleared without seeing the ECM.Your case should be easier than mine

sure its a mistake from them, that same "lag-xxxxxx" is always on any passport that has been issued visa.You may need to go to the high commission one more time and do some explanation and i beleive they will listen to your case.

blank:

U guys keep mentioning far away dates, 2001, 2000, 2003.
Na 2010 we dey now.
Inflation is now 14% and there is partial deregulation of universities.
All of una wey dey talk N500, N1,400 go back to your school make dem tell u say na N50,000 now.
Pls, we need to here recent prices.

I wonder o! Pls inform us about the current rates

I tire for myself o, i still dey do am to my own self till today (i still dey steal from my own pot).

justwise:

You used the word 'IF' and that is the problem. Evidence of fees? Yes but that is not enough as some pple do borrow that money just for visa puposes and when the visa is issued they return the money to the rightful owners.

Well,i believe all are talking about using genuine documents for their application. Its up to you the way you want to package your application.But i have always played by the rules in my applications and i have never had problems

Aks:

@ justwise,
thank you for the prompt response, i'll appreciate if you help me answer the question posted below. my monthly salary is in the redion of 150K while i do receive quarterly allowance of 195K. He's my elder brother and we share the same surname.

who will pay for your course fees?
Who will pay for your travel to the UK?
Who will pay for your expenses such as accommodation and food?
Please provide details of your financial sponsor(s). >>>>
If you are funding yourself state ‘Self funding’ and go to 8.41.

pls help provide answer to this question, by the way, will he choose SELF FUNDING AND SPONSOR?

thank you, GOD bless u real good

Some reasons why i say peeps should be advised to look up for information- There is no where in the tier-4 forms where you are required to fill in the above information- check,a student applying from outside the UK is only and only required to fill in application form VAF-9 PBS Migrant  and complete PBS Appendix 8 (General) Student online or paper based.

justwise:

If all the documents u presented were clear enough not generate any further scrutiny then there is no need for one BUT with quesionable bank statement, you have to provide more evidence to back it up.

Exact message am trying to pass here- Just present what was asked for by the high commission as written in the UKBA website. Atimes, you call for scrutiny by adding unnecessary documents.The application is that simple if you have got the original documents (Evidence of fees and your certificates).Keep it as simple as possible and try to do just as they have required.Makes the appeal smoother in case of refusal

justwise:

And who told you that anybody can present bank statement without an evidnce to back it up?

I did that and i was given my student visa sir! and scores of other students in my uni

justwise:

Are you suggesting that we are misleading pple here?

Not implying anything bruv, I think its better to tell people to look up for information on the relevant websites,

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/adult-students/evidence/

@ AKS,are you sure you are looking at the right forms?, use the internet to see most of these questions for yourself

@ all,do not let anyone confuse you about all this sponsorship thing and documents you need in support of Tier-4, dear all,just do what the UKBA website tells you,
1. All the original academic documents  you used in making the application for admission at the university as written in your visa letter.
2. Evidence of The balance of your school fees (if you have paid part of it already) plus the living expenses (£5400 for schools outside London or £7200 for school inside London) lodged in your own personal bank account for 28 days prior to application date.
3. Duly filled visa application form.
4. CAS letter (Visa letter from the school)
The only exception to the second requirement is when you are sponsored by your own PARENT(S) and you have to show that with a legalised document from a lawyer or your birth certificate and also a notarized letter that they are willing to commit such money towards your education.

Brothers and sisters, the embassy does not require any tax clearance or proof of where you got the money or where ever you work or any letter claiming anything, IT IS CLEARLY SPELT OUT IN THE UKBA WEBSITE AND BELEIVE ME,THERE IS NO AMBIGUITY TO THAT. It has been the same i did it and every Nigerian in my school did theirs.The document they require is no more than that and try not to use anyone's account as sponsor if they are not your parent(s), It is that simple(??), i know some will say otherwise,but its your time you waste by looking for documents apart from the one listed above

akigbemaru:

This is another story of a teenage girl, whose thought and rapacity for money got her into the hand of delusional senile dejo of Akure, a glorified Agbero that called himself Oba for that matter. His name is not Deji anymore, but Dejo of Akure. Luckiest naughty person -- just to put it in a right oxymoron!!!
Bolanle, you have forgotten that "she who gets married to old-man nails the coffin." Now, you are tired of "BABA BAMI GBESI" and want to take to your heels, but forget that "egberun Samuel eeh can never run away from God. Dejo, the craddle-robber keep digging jor! Aiye hun se iru e.

yu are the best!!! best describes the situation

indeed it is, they admissible to Canada without visas