As the world marks World Youth Skills Day on July 15, Nigeria stands at a crossroads between the vast potential of its youth and the crippling realities of unemployment, underemployment, and a widening skills gap. With over 60 per cent of the population under the age of 30, the country’s future rests squarely on the shoulders of its young people. But without deliberate investments in skill acquisition and capacity building, that future risks being one of stagnation rather than growth.
Globally, this year’s observance emphasises the critical role of skills development in fostering economic resilience and social inclusion. For Nigeria, where youth unemployment stood at 40.8 per cent in the last quarter of 2023 (according to the National Bureau of Statistics), the urgency is clear: equipping young Nigerians with market-relevant skills is not just a development goal, it is an economic survival strategy.
Despite being rich in natural and human resources, Nigeria’s education system continues to churn out graduates unfit for today’s labour market. A 2022 report by the World Bank found that less than 20 per cent of Nigerian graduates possessed the skills required by employers in sectors like ICT, renewable energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. This skills mismatch is part of the reason why many Nigerian youths, even those with university degrees, remain jobless or trapped in informal, low-paying work.
The federal government has made some commendable efforts to address this. Initiatives such as the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), N-Power, and Digital Nigeria aim to bridge the skills gap and promote entrepreneurship. Private sector-led hubs and bootcamps in tech, fashion, and creative industries are also gaining momentum. But these efforts remain fragmented and often inaccessible to youths in rural or disadvantaged communities.
What is needed is a coordinated, well-funded, and inclusive national skills development strategy that goes beyond token projects. Nigeria must align its education curriculum with the demands of the 21st-century economy, integrating vocational training, digital literacy, and soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and adaptability into every level of learning.
Equally critical is the need to destigmatise technical and vocational education. In many parts of Nigeria, vocational training is still viewed as a last resort, rather than a viable and respectable career path. This mindset must change. The German and South Korean economies were largely built on a strong foundation of skilled labour, and Nigeria must follow suit.
In a rapidly digitising world, digital skills are no longer optional; they are essential. From mobile app development to remote freelancing and online marketing, the global digital economy is growing fast, and Nigerian youth must not be left behind. Expanding broadband access, investing in ICT infrastructure, and partnering with global tech companies to scale up digital training should be top national priorities.
Moreover, creating an enabling environment where skilled youth can turn their knowledge into income is vital. This means improving access to finance for startups, strengthening intellectual property rights, and simplifying regulatory hurdles that stifle innovation and small business growth.
As we reflect on the promise of World Youth Skills Day, Nigeria must embrace a bold vision: one where every young person has the opportunity to learn, earn, and thrive. The dividends of such a commitment are vast—not just in reduced unemployment, but in increased productivity, social stability, and national development.
The clock is ticking, and the next generation is watching. Nigeria cannot afford to waste its greatest asset, its youth. The time to invest in skills, systematically and sustainably, is now.
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