7 Skills You Should Teach Your Child Before They Turn 18

Every parent wants their child to succeed in life. But success isn’t just about doing well in school. It’s also about being able to handle real-life situations from staying safe in emergencies to managing money wisely.

In Nigeria, where young people face unique challenges like power outages, flooding, insecurity, and limited public transport, learning practical life skills is just as important as passing exams. 

The teenage years are a great time to build these skills so children can grow into confident, capable adults. Here are the important skills every Nigerian child should learn before they turn 18:

Swimming to stay safe

Swimming is more than just fun at the pool, it’s a life-saving skill. In a country where rainy seasons often cause floods and many communities live near rivers or lakes, knowing how to swim could literally save a life. 

Even if your child doesn’t attend a school with swimming classes, there are many centres that offer lessons for beginners. It’s worth the investment.

Driving with confidence and caution

At 18, many Nigerian teens are eligible to get a driver’s license, but that doesn’t mean they’ll automatically know how to drive. Learning to drive properly (and safely) takes time and practice. 

Enrolling them in an accredited driving school helps them master road signs, traffic rules, emergency handling, and even basic car maintenance like changing a tyre.

Basic first aid skills

Every teenager should know how to respond to common accidents, whether it’s a cut, a burn, or someone choking. First aid knowledge includes how to stop bleeding, clean wounds, handle allergic reactions, and even perform CPR. 

The Red Cross and other health centres offer short courses and certifications that can make a big difference in an emergency.

Mastering house chores

Before leaving home, teenagers should know how to take care of a living space. That means being able to wash their clothes, clean their room, do the dishes properly, and cook simple meals. 

These daily habits build responsibility and make the transition to adult life whether in university or 

Cooking popular Nigerian meals

A hungry student far from home will always appreciate knowing how to make their own food. Beyond saving money, cooking is a survival skill. By 18, your child should be able to prepare at least ten common Nigerian meals like Jollof Rice, Egusi Soup, Moi Moi, Akara, and Yam Porridge. 

This also helps them stay connected to their culture if they ever travel or live abroad.

Learning a new language

English is Nigeria’s official language, but adding a second language opens doors. French is useful in many West African countries. Spanish and German are also great for those interested in studying or working abroad. 

Thankfully, learning a new language no longer requires a classroom, there are apps like Duolingo and Babbel that make it easy to practice at home.

Understanding money and budgeting

Before they turn 18, children should know how to manage money. Teach them how to save, budget, and spend wisely. 

Let them practice with real money maybe from allowances or side gigs and guide them on using banking apps, avoiding scams, and planning for the future. Many Nigerian banks offer teen-friendly accounts to support this learning.