FG Collaborates to Upskill Nigerian Youth for Jobs

The Federal Government of Nigeria is actively collaborating with agencies such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to provide Nigerian youths with essential skills for the modern job market. This initiative was highlighted by the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, during a two-day regional consultative meeting focused on reviewing the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP) for 17 southern states, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Olawande, represented by Bakare Abayomi, the Chief Youth Development Officer, stressed the significance of the youthful population in Nigeria's economic transition and the need for quality education, decent employment, and entrepreneurship support. The review meeting aims to gather input from youths and stakeholders to create a framework that enhances employability.

Olawande acknowledged the support from development partners and urged state governments to take ownership of the youth employment agenda. UNICEF's Ngozi Izuora and ILO's Vannesa Phala also expressed the importance of youth in driving economic change.