"Iṣẹ ọwọ," which translates to "work done with the hand" in English, is an ongoing series that delves into a recent trend in Nigeria, where many graduates acquire skills and start businesses different from their university majors. This shift in career paths is often a result of the rising unemployment rate in the country.
The diptych in the photos captures Corpers in their uniforms, symbolizing the completion of their higher education, juxtaposed against portraits of them holding their own produced works or tools related to their chosen skills. The images serve as a visual representation of how these young graduates are adapting to the challenging economic conditions by venturing into different fields outside their university studies.
"Ise Owo" sheds light on the resilience and resourcefulness of Nigerian graduates in the face of unemployment, highlighting their determination to create opportunities for themselves and contribute to the nation's progress through their skills and entrepreneurship.
The term 'Corper' is a word gotten from "The National Youth Service Corps" which is a
program set up by the Nigerian government during the military regime to involve Nigerian
graduates in nation-building and the development of the country
