Bridging Nigeria’s Skills Gap to Tackle Youth Unemployment
The
recent convocation lecture delivered by Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, former
Minister of Defence, at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, has
reignited a pressing national debate: the alarming rise in youth unemployment
and its direct link to the lack of relevant skills among graduates.
Kayode’s remarks were not just a critique of the current state of affairs but a call to action, urging Nigeria to confront the mismatch between education and industry needs with urgency and clarity.
Kayode described
the unemployment rate, 53.4 percent of young people and graduates out of work, as
“depressing and unacceptable.” His diagnosis was clear: the education system is
failing to equip young Nigerians with the competencies demanded by the labour
market. While sectors such as agriculture, mining, technology, energy, and
construction are driving growth, the skills supplied by universities and
training institutions remain inadequate. This disconnect, he argued, is at the
heart of the unemployment crisis.
Central
to his lecture was the insistence that skills acquisition must become the top
priority for both government and youth. He commended the Federal Government’s
establishment of the National Policy on Skills Development under the Ministry
of Education, calling it a vital step toward aligning curricula with industry
standards. Yet he stressed that this policy must be backed by a comprehensive
restructuring of Nigeria’s curriculum from primary to tertiary levels. Without
a clear framework for curriculum design and strategic direction, the country
risks perpetuating the same cycle of underprepared graduates.
Kayode’s recommendations were bold. He urged the creation of a dedicated National Skills Development Fund, financed by contributions from agencies such as ITF, NASENI, TETFUND, and PTDF, to support massive technical and vocational education and training (TVET). He also emphasized the need to leverage technology by investing in e-learning infrastructure and digital platforms, democratizing access to quality training, especially in rural areas.
For young Nigerians, his
message was equally uncompromising: formal education is only the beginning.
Continuous upskilling and reskilling, through online courses, certifications,
bootcamps, and apprenticeships, are essential to remain competitive in a
rapidly changing labour market.
Perhaps the
most striking aspect of Kayode’s lecture was his appeal to youth to embrace
entrepreneurship. He argued that the skills challenge should be seen not only
as a barrier but as an opportunity for innovation and job creation. By
acquiring and applying relevant skills, young Nigerians can start small
businesses and social enterprises, creating employment for themselves and
others. Digital literacy, he insisted, is non-negotiable.
In
today’s economy, every modern job requires a foundation in digital skills, and
those who master them are best positioned to thrive in both the industrial and
creative economies.
Kayode’s
words carry weight because they highlight a truth Nigeria can no longer ignore:
unemployment is not merely about the absence of jobs, but about the absence of
employable skills. His lecture underscores the need for a coordinated national
approach that bridges the gap between education and industry, while empowering
youth to take responsibility for their own development.
The
editorial conclusion here is clear: Nigeria’s future depends on its ability to
transform its education system into a skills-driven engine of growth. Without
this shift, the country risks squandering the potential of its youth. With it,
however, Nigeria can unlock a new era of productivity, innovation, and
prosperity.
No comments:
Post a Comment