The federal government has continued to contend with rising youth unemployment in the country. The government also seeks global support for acquisition of skill for entrepreneurial ventures.
Apparently, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rolled out skills acquisition programme for Nigerian youths to empower them in economic productivity.
The Tinubu administration, at the opening of the National Skills and Industry Alignment Roundtable Series (Q1 2026) with the theme, “Bridging Skills Supply and Labour Market Demand,” in Abuja, appealed to global development partners, industry leaders, and policymakers to deepen investment in the Federal Government’s ongoing skills acquisition drive targeting millions of Nigerian youths.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, declaring the Roundtable open, called for clarity, collaboration, and coordinated results from relevant stakeholders. He emphasized the need for investments in a more coherent national system, where skills lead to jobs that are enterprising enough to drive economic growth.
The event was convened by the Office of the Vice President, with support from the European Union (EU).
The Vice President, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, commended the European Union for its continued partnership and support for Nigeria’s job creation and youth development agenda.
He noted that the collaboration had been instrumental in strengthening coordination and advancing collective efforts to create opportunities for young Nigerians.
Shettima stressed that Nigeria stands at a decisive moment in its history, noting that the country is home to one of the largest youth populations in the world, with millions entering the labour market each year, full of ambition, energy, and potential.
He, however, observed that the vast majority of available jobs are informal, unstable, and not fully connected to productivity and growth, requiring sustained and targeted interventions to ensure graduates are job-ready and equipped with relevant skills.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, stated that the roundtable was very important to the ministry, noting that many employers are seeking skilled workers.
The EU Head of Cooperation for Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, acknowledged ongoing collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and other development partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation, to drive impact in skills development and job creation.
According to him, the EU has, in recent years, focused on fostering organic engagement within Nigeria’s production system.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Delivery and Coordination, Akubo Adegbe, described the roundtable series as a deliberate and ongoing effort by the Office of the Vice President and the EU to strengthen coordination across Nigeria’s job creation ecosystem.
