By Samuel Adeola
The Federal Government has launched a national skills programme targeting 20 million young Nigerians for jobs, training, and entrepreneurship by 2030, with women expected to make up at least 60% of participants.
Vice President Kashim Shettima announced the initiative on Wednesday while assuming the chairmanship of the reactivated Board of Generation Unlimited (GenU), Nigeria at its inaugural meeting, held in conjunction with International Youth Day 2025.
“With over 60% of our population below 25, we cannot afford to squander this asset… We must refine it, invest in it, and channel it toward productive destinies,” Shettima said, describing Nigerian youth as the nation’s “superpower” in a rapidly ageing world.
He noted that the country’s skills system suffers from exclusion, poor job linkages, and weak training infrastructure, calling for “systemic change.” Central to the plan is the Digital Access and Livelihoods Initiative (DALI), which connects training directly to jobs or enterprise opportunities, aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework for globally competitive credentials.
“Young Nigerians deserve jobs, hope, and a future,” Shettima declared, urging collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners.
Youth Minister Ayodele Olawande highlighted the programme’s focus on job creation, bridging the skills gap, and human capital development.
Special Assistant Rimamskeb Nuhu added that DALI would address skills gaps, livelihood disconnects, and infrastructure deficits, with Renewed Hope digital hubs planned nationwide.
Since its 2021 launch, GenU 9JA has reached over 10 million youth through projects such as Microsoft’s Passport to Earning, Green Rising, the Girls’ Education and Skills Partnership with the UK’s FCDO, and the FUCAP Campus Ambassadors Programme.
UN representative Mohamed Fall described Nigerian youth as “the most critical assets of the country and the continent,” while UNICEF’s Wafaa Saeed welcomed the recognition of YOMA as the national youth opportunities aggregator.
Private sector partners, including Microsoft, Airtel, IHS Towers, Unilever, CISCO, MTN, and Jobberman, will expand opportunities in digital skills, green jobs, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. UNICEF Generation Unlimited CEO Kevin Frey lauded Nigeria’s “leadership in youth-focused innovation.”
