Maryam Aminu
The Federal Government has announced an ambitious plan to train and empower at least seven million Nigerian youths with dual vocational and digital skills under its renewed drive to build a more innovative and self-reliant generation.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Germany, at his office in Abuja.
Olawande said the initiative reflects the government’s firm commitment to equipping young Nigerians with industry-relevant skills that foster employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Our goal is not just to produce job seekers but to nurture innovators and entrepreneurs who will contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy,” the Minister stated.
The Minister revealed that the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) is leading the effort through strengthened partnerships with German and Nigerian institutions to expand access to vocational and digital training nationwide.
He also announced that the Ministry will soon unveil a digital learning platform, modelled after global platforms such as Coursera, to make skill acquisition easier and more accessible to youths across Nigeria.
According to him, the Ministry’s youth development strategy is built on a tripartite framework of Support, Empowerment, and Protection, ensuring every young Nigerian can thrive in a globally competitive environment.
“This collaboration is not just about programmes; it is about building the future of our young people. Together, we can ensure that Nigerian youth are empowered, innovative, and globally competitive,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Matthias Leder, Chief Executive Officer of the IHK Giessen-Friedberg Chambers of Commerce and Industry, reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to supporting Nigerian youth through vocational training and legal labour migration initiatives.
He lauded the Federal Government’s focus on youth skills development, noting that 300 Nigerian youths have already been selected for the Legal Labour Migration and Dual Vocational Training Project, to be honoured in Lagos on November 12, 2025, after completing their A1 German language level.
Dr. Leder also praised the German dual training model, where apprentices earn from their first day, and called for deeper cooperation between Nigerian and German institutions to expand opportunities for young Nigerians and strengthen bilateral relations.
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