At the World Youth Skills Day Celebration held at the Dangote Ultra Modern Skills Acquisition Centre (DUMSAC) in Kano, Minister of State for Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with practical skills.
He stated, “Since assuming office seven months ago, our focus has been on enhancing youth skills development, recognizing that while education is essential, it is skills that will drive national progress and improve the livelihoods of our young people.”
He emphasized the importance of skill acquisition in tackling unemployment and underemployment, aligning with the global theme of World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on July 15, which recognizes young people’s potential as agents of change and contributors to a prosperous future.
Engr. Olawande, who also launched the Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR) III project, a collaborative initiative funded by the Korean Ministry of Education and UNESCO, emphasized the need to revamp Nigeria’s education system to align with the demands of the 21st-century job market. He stressed that education must go beyond basic literacy skills, such as reading, writing, and speaking English, to equip graduates with practical skills that enable them to secure employment and earn a decent living.
“It is crucial that we tailor our education to meet the needs of the job market, ensuring that graduates possess at least two marketable skills that enable them to become productive members of society immediately after leaving school,” he emphasized.
