ILO and Nigeria Review Youth Employment Strategy

On Monday, stakeholders gathered at the United Nations building in Abuja to initiate the review of the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP) 2025–2030, organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) through its Strengthening Employment and Employability Systems in Nigeria (SEESIN) project, part of the GIZ-SKYE II Programme. ILO Director Vanessa Phala, represented by Aisha Dirisu, emphasized the need for a coherent and results-oriented approach to youth employment, focusing on evidence-based and inclusive strategies.

The review will assess the previous NIYEAP 2021–2024, identifying successes and failures to inform the new framework. Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, represented by Cecilia Williams, stressed the importance of aligning NIYEAP with the revised National Employment Policy (NEP) 2025, advocating for policy coherence and adequate financing.

Ifeoma Esther, representing NLC President Joe Ajaero, acknowledged the significance of the review for Nigeria's largest demographic segment, the youth.