The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritizing skills development as a catalyst for job creation, economic growth and national competitiveness in the country.
The Minister of Labor and Employment, Dr Muhammed Dingyadi, made the reaffirmation at the 2026 World Youth Skills Day celebration on Wednesday in Abuja, with the theme, “Skills for a Shared Future”.
The programme was organized by the International Labor Organization (ILO), its tripartite constituents, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and youth partners.
Dingyadi, represented by the Director of Skills Development and Certification, Dr Tiza Shaakaa, said investment in youth skills remained critical to building an inclusive, productive and sustainable future.
“The future we seek as a nation and global community can only be realized through deliberate investment in the skills, talents, creativity and productive capacities of our young people,” he said.
He said technological advancement, digitalization, artificial intelligence, automation and climate change were transforming the labor market.
According to him, these require young Nigerians to acquire digital, green and entrepreneurial skills.
The minister said the revised National Employment Policy, alongside strengthened Job Centres and Migrant Resource Centres, would support employment creation, career guidance and improved access to labor market opportunities.
“Skills development must be linked to employment outcomes. Training programmes should not operate in isolation from industry needs,” Dingyadi said.
He urged employers to support apprenticeships, internships and workplace learning, while encouraging youth participation in shaping employment policies for innovation and sustainable development.
“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 said.
Also, the President of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, said skills development remained essential to promoting decent work, social justice and shared prosperity for Nigeria’s youth population.
Ajaero, represented by the NLC Youth Chairperson, Ms Martha John, said the theme reflected the need to equip young people with relevant competencies to succeed in emerging sectors.
“Skills development is not merely about training. It is about creating pathways to decent work, social justice and shared prosperity,” he said.
He said Nigerian youths required technical, digital and green skills, alongside resilience and creativity, but stressed that skills acquisition must be matched with employment opportunities.
“Skills alone are insufficient without employment opportunities. Governments at all levels must deliberately create jobs for young people,” he said.
Ajaero called for greater investment in digital skills, entrepreneurship, innovation and green jobs, urging stakeholders to ensure employment frameworks moved from policy aspirations to practical 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 future of work.
Oyerinde, represented by Ms Jennifer Yelwa, NECA Liaison Officer, Abuja, said NECA had expanded technical, vocational and digital skills development through partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
“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.
He said NECA had inaugurated ESG initiatives and supported youth training in emerging areas, including virtual reality, 3D animation and data analytics, to enhance competitiveness in the digital economy.
Oyerinde reaffirmed NECA’s commitment to working with government, workers’ organizations, development partners and educational institutions to promote lifelong learning and expand employment opportunities for young Nigerians. (NAN).
