The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to launching and implementing a comprehensive range of youth employment programmes to tackle unemployment in the country.
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, made this known during the commemoration of the 2024 World Youth Skills Day, with the theme “Youth Skills For Peace & Development.”
The event, organized by the Ministry, took place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
In her keynote address, Dr. Ibrahim disclosed that the Ministry has put in place programmes specifically designed to address the pressing issue of unemployment and bridge the significant employment gap among the rapidly growing youth population.
She informed that these programmes will also provide meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the workforce and contribute to the nation’s economy.
Dr. Ibrahim emphasized the issue of escalating youth unemployment and underscored the proactive approach adopted by the Ministry to address it.
“As a part of its core mandate, the Ministry recently orchestrated an extensive and meticulously planned capacity-building programme specifically tailored to the fashion design and tailoring business sectors. This multifaceted initiative also involved the establishment and furnishing of a cutting-edge tailoring hub located within the premises of the National Youth Development Centre in Odeomu, Osun State.
“The hub boasts a comprehensive array of modern fashion and tailoring machinery, providing a conducive environment for aspiring young entrepreneurs to acquire and hone their skills in the domains of fashion design and associated enterprises. The Ministry is dedicated to offering a platform for interested youth to access the center and take advantage of the invaluable opportunities for skill development and empowerment it presents,” she explained.
She observed that millions of young people around the world are unemployed and not involved in any meaningful and sustainable work.
She also noted that the majority of these individuals live in developing countries, where they are underemployed and continually exposed to low-quality jobs and greater labour market inequality.
“The 2024 World Skills Day is expected to create synergy among all key players in youth development. I believe that the programme will successfully increase enthusiasm for skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development in Nigeria. It will challenge everyone to create a commendable platform to launch a new project on skill acquisition and development that aligns with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’,” she stated.
In his address, Minister of State for Youth Development, Mr. Olawande Ayodele, underscored the government’s resolve to equip the youth with vital skills for enhanced employability.
Olawande emphasized the importance of job fairs, noting that while Nigeria has had trade fairs over the years, it is time to have job fairs to promote skill acquisition.
He declared that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, he is determined to ensure that seven million Nigerian youths acquire at least two skills each within the next two years.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, extended a gracious welcome to dignitaries and all invited guests from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, youth leaders, and all stakeholders devoted to youth development and empowerment.
He stressed the Ministry’s commitment to advancing skills acquisition, nurturing peace, and propelling socio-economic growth throughout Nigeria.
The guest speaker, Engineer Kashim Ali, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, advocated for youth skills and challenged members of the public to engage in skill acquisitions regardless of age or qualifications.
He encouraged adults to learn skills that were suitable for them, adding it is never too late to learn.
In his address, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth, Adeyemi Adaramodu, described the skill development initiative as a positive development by the Ministry.
Adaramodu assured the Ministry that he was ready to legislate on any measure that would enhance the lives of Nigerian youths.
