By the Editor
The government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has used the occasion of World Youth Skills Day 20224 to promise implementing comprehensive youth employment programs to address the growing issue of unemployment in the country.
At a recent event commemorating the Day at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, FCT, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, spoke on the Ministry’s initiatives which were aimed at tackling unemployment and bridging the significant employment gap among Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population.
Themed: “Youth Skills for Peace and Development,” the event, organized by the Ministry, the Honourable Minister outlined several new programs designed to provide meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the workforce and contribute positively to the nation’s economy.
She highlighted the proactive measures the Ministry has undertaken to address the escalating issue of youth unemployment, including the Ministry’s recent establishment of a state-of-the-art tailoring hub at the National Youth Development Centre in Ode-omu, Osun State.
In her words, “This hub is equipped with modern fashion and tailoring machinery, providing a conducive environment for young entrepreneurs to acquire and refine their skills in fashion design and related fields”; underscoring the global challenge of youth unemployment, particularly in developing countries where many young people are underemployed and exposed to low-quality jobs.
She, however, expressed confidence that the 2024 World Skills Day would foster collaboration among key stakeholders in youth development and enhance enthusiasm for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
She added that the event aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government, which, according to her, aims, among other things, to create a robust platform for skill development and empowerment.
On his part, Olawande Ayodele, Minister of State for Youth Development, reinforced the government’s commitment to equipping the youth with essential skills for better employability.
He highlighted the importance of job fairs in promoting skills acquisition and announced an ambitious goal to ensure that seven million Nigerian youths acquire at least two skills each within the next two years, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s renewed hope agenda.
