The Federal Government has called on global partners and the private sector to rally behind Nigeria’s efforts to close its widening skills gap and create jobs for millions of young people.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, made the call on Monday at the Skills-to-Jobs: Strengthening Workforce Systems for Economic Growth forum, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, United States.
Onyejeocha said Nigeria’s greatest asset remains its people, stressing that equipping them with relevant skills is crucial to reducing unemployment and driving inclusive growth.
“Our nation’s greatest resource is its people. By equipping Nigerians, especially our youth, with the right skills and creating pathways to meaningful jobs, we are not only reducing unemployment but also laying the foundation for inclusive and sustainable economic growth,” she said.
The forum, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in partnership with Tech4Dev, Semicolon, and Avaara Partners, brought together government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders to discuss workforce innovation and job creation.
Onyejeocha noted that bridging the skills-to-jobs divide would not only prepare Nigerians for the future of work but also position the country as a continental leader in digital and industrial transformation. She urged stakeholders to intensify investments in skills development and ensure that education is aligned with labour market needs.
The event featured a distinguished panel, including the Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa; Special Adviser to the President on Finance and Economy, Sanyade Okoli; Special Adviser to the President on Art and Culture, Moriam Aigaga; and Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Ismaeel Ahmed.
Others were Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Nigeria, Rosy Fynn; Global Director of Social Protection and Labour at the World Bank, Iffat A. Sharif; Executive Director of Tech4Dev, Diuara Oladepo; CEO of Semicolon, Sam Immanuel; National Coordinator of DICE, Ife Adebayo; Olumbe Akinkugbe of Galaxy Backbone; and Mercy Akamo, Founder of Kijana Company.
The discussions centered on strengthening workforce systems, fostering innovation, and ensuring that Nigeria’s young population is adequately prepared to compete in a rapidly changing global economy.
