Every Thursday, Something the week made urgent.

Dr Ayomide Alokun is 27 years old. He has a BSc in Political Science, an MSc in Political Science, and a PhD in International Relations. He has been recognised nationally for humanitarian work during COVID-19. He is completely unemployed.

This week he walked onto the streets of Abuja with a placard listing his qualifications and a request addressed directly to President Tinubu. He went viral. People shared his video. Some offered sympathy. Some said he was naive. Some said he should try the private sector. Some said Nigeria doesn't reward intelligence, only loyalty.

On the same day Alokun was on the streets, a court in Abuja was preparing to sentence Saleh Mamman to 75 years. Mamman stole ₦33.8 billion meant to fund the hydroelectric projects that would have powered the economy. The economy that would have employed people like Alokun.

I'm not saying Mamman stole Alokun's job. I'm saying that's the actual relationship between those two people. One man made off with the resources of a country. Another man walked that country's streets with three degrees and nothing to show for them. And the man who stole the money is currently unreachable, while the man who earned the degrees is very reachable, very visible, and still waiting.

The question this week isn't why Alokun can't find work. Nigeria has graduate unemployment rates that would be scandalous if they weren't so familiar. The question is what we make of a country that can't find Saleh Mamman.