The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to making skills development a key driver of job creation, economic growth and national competitiveness.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammed Dingyadi, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during the 2026 World Youth Skills Day celebration themed, “Skills for a Shared Future.”
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), its tripartite constituents, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and youth partners organised the event.
Represented by the Director of Skills Development and Certification, Dr Tiza Shaakaa, Dingyadi said investing in youth skills remained vital to building an inclusive, productive and sustainable future.
“The future we seek as a nation and global community can only be realised through deliberate investment in the skills, talents, creativity and productive capacities of our young people,” he said.
He noted that rapid technological advancement, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, automation and climate change were reshaping the labour market, making it imperative for young Nigerians to acquire digital, green and entrepreneurial skills.
Dingyadi said the revised National Employment Policy, alongside strengthened Job Centres and Migrant Resource Centres, would boost employment creation, provide career guidance and expand access to labour market opportunities.
“Skills development must be linked to employment outcomes. Training programmes should not operate in isolation from industry needs,” he said.
He urged employers to expand apprenticeship, internship and workplace learning opportunities while encouraging young people to participate actively in shaping employment policies.
“Young people are not merely beneficiaries of employment policies; they are critical stakeholders whose voices, experiences and innovative ideas must inform policy design and implementation,” he added.
Also speaking, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, said skills development remained central to promoting decent work, social justice and shared prosperity for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
Represented by the NLC Youth Chairperson, Ms Martha John, Ajaero said the theme underscored the need to equip young people with relevant competencies for emerging industries.
“Skills development is not merely about training. It is about creating pathways to decent work, social justice and shared prosperity,” he said.
He stressed that while Nigerian youths needed technical, digital and green skills, governments at all levels must complement skills acquisition with deliberate job creation.
“Skills alone are insufficient without employment opportunities. Governments at all levels must deliberately create jobs for young people,” he said.
Ajaero called for increased investment in digital skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and green jobs, urging stakeholders to translate employment policies into measurable action.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said employers remained committed to preparing young Nigerians for the evolving world of work.
Represented by NECA Liaison Officer in Abuja, Ms Jennifer Yelwa, Oyerinde said the association had expanded technical, vocational and digital skills training through strategic partnerships.
He added that NECA had launched Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives and supported youth training in emerging fields such as virtual reality, 3D animation and data analytics to strengthen their competitiveness in the digital economy.
“Climate action should not only protect the environment but also create decent jobs, strengthen enterprises and ensure workers and businesses are adequately prepared for change,” he said.
Oyerinde reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to partnering with government, workers’ organisations, development partners and educational institutions to promote lifelong learning and expand employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
source: NAN
