The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for sustained investment in skills development to tackle youth unemployment and equip young Nigerians with the competencies required for decent work in an increasingly dynamic labour market.
The appeal was made on Wednesday during the 2026 World Youth Skills Day celebration, themed “Skills for a Shared Future,” held in Abuja. The event brought together government officials, development partners, employers, education stakeholders, and youth advocates to explore practical solutions to Nigeria’s persistent youth employment challenges.
Speaking at the event, ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, Ms Vanessa Phala, said Nigeria’s growing youth population could become a powerful engine of economic growth if young people were equipped with relevant skills and connected to decent employment opportunities.
Represented by Ms. Inviolata Chinyangarara, ILO Senior Specialist on Workers’ Activities, Phala stressed that governments, employers, workers’ organisations, training institutions, and development partners must collaborate to prepare young people for the rapidly evolving world of work.
She noted that digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the transition to a green economy had fundamentally reshaped labourmarket demands, making investment in technical, digital, entrepreneurial, and green skills more critical than ever.
According to Phala, investing in future-ready skills would enhance employability, boost productivity, and support Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.
She described Nigeria’s youthful population as one of the country’s greatest assets, capable of driving inclusive economic growth if supported through quality skills training and greater access to decent employment opportunities.
Phala also urged stakeholders to modernise Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), expand apprenticeship programmes, and strengthen labour market institutions to bridge existing skills gaps.
“The future of work depends on creating pathways that connect skills development with productive employment opportunities for young people,” she said.
Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with the skills required for employment, entrepreneurship, and national development.
Represented by Ngwaogu Michael, Director of the Enterprise Development and Promotion Department, Olawande announced that the ministry was implementing the Nigerian Youth Academy under the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative.
He explained that the programme was designed to provide young Nigerians with market-relevant skills that would improve employability, foster innovation, and promote self-reliance, in line with the National Youth Policy and the Nigerian Youth Development Action Plan.
The minister also commended the ILO and its development partners for their continued support for youth employment initiatives, assuring participants that the ministry would continue expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Addressing emerging employment opportunities linked to climate action, Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC), Dr. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, underscored the importance of equipping young people with green skills to advance climate-resilient and sustainable development.
Represented by Ms. Jummai Vandu, Assistant Chief Chemical Engineer at the NCCC, Majekodunmi said climate action and youth empowerment remained central to Nigeria’s development agenda.
She explained that competencies in renewable energy, climate adaptation, and other green sectors would position young people to take advantage of expanding opportunities within the evolving labour market.
According to her, strengthening green skills and promoting innovation would enhance employability, stimulate entrepreneurship, and support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to advance climate action while creating sustainable livelihoods for Nigerian youths.
Participants at the event also called for increased awareness of youth development initiatives and employment programmes.
Ms. Morenikeji Olaniru observed that many young people remained unaware of the numerous government and private-sector opportunities available to them. She encouraged students and graduates to complement their academic qualifications with practical and vocational skills, noting that additional competencies would significantly improve their employability.
Similarly, Mr. Tajudeen Abdullahi identified limited access to information as a major barrier to youth employment and urged young people to make better use of digital platforms to access skills training and job opportunities.
He further advised youths not to rely solely on parental support but to embrace vocational and digital skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and better prepared for the future of work.
