EAPEAN's Chief Okegbue Advocates Skills Over Certificates

At the 15th Annual General Meeting of the Employers Association for Private Employment Agencies of Nigeria (EAPEAN) held at NECA House in Lagos, Chief Nzeribe Okegbue, the President of EAPEAN, stated that practical skills are essential for addressing Nigeria's unemployment crisis. He urged the Federal Government and stakeholders to prioritize vocational and technical skills acquisition, highlighting that EAPEAN member companies support over five million jobs nationwide.

Okegbue noted that academic qualifications alone are insufficient for employment due to the increasing number of tertiary graduates and the limited availability of white-collar jobs. He called for stronger skills acquisition programs, particularly within the National Youth Service Corps, to transform youth into skill-driven value creators.

Okegbue also reported that EAPEAN's membership grew from 302 to 355, reflecting increased confidence in the association's mission. He emphasized the commitment to ethical recruitment and compliance with labor standards, warning against violations of the minimum wage.