Leadership and personal development experts have urged young Nigerians to build character, competence and other practical skills, describing them as essential for career success and effective leadership.

They said academic qualifications alone do not guarantee success and urged young people to invest in self-development, build meaningful relationships and acquire skills that solve problems and create value.

The experts spoke on Saturday at the graduation of 15 participants, most of them National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who completed a three-month Life School Mentorship Programme at Prescient Court, Kaura District, Abuja.

One of the speakers, Victor Oshadare, a leadership and personal development trainer, described character as the foundation of credibility and trust. He said character, competence, commitment, communication and creativity also determine success in life and at work.

“When everything has failed, if you still have character, you will still live,” he said, adding, however, that character alone is not enough without the ability to deliver results.