ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government says it has equipped 239,726 Nigerian youths with digital, employability and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy, as part of efforts to improve employment opportunities and strengthen youth participation in the economy.
The initiative is designed to provide young Nigerians with skills that can improve their chances of securing employment, starting businesses and adapting to the changing demands of the labour market.
Government officials said the training programme focuses on areas including digital competence, workplace readiness and practical skills, reflecting the growing importance of technology and vocational abilities in Nigeria’s economy.
The Federal Government said the number of beneficiaries demonstrates the scale of its ongoing efforts to address youth unemployment and prepare young people for opportunities in both the formal and informal sectors.
The programme also seeks to bridge the gap between education and employment by giving participants practical knowledge that can be applied beyond the classroom.
With Nigeria’s large youth population facing increasing pressure to find sustainable sources of income, officials said skills development remains an important part of the government’s response to unemployment and underemployment.
The training covers employability skills intended to help beneficiaries compete more effectively for available jobs. Digital training is also expected to improve participants’ ability to take advantage of opportunities created by Nigeria’s expanding technology and digital economy.
Beyond employment, the practical component of the programme is expected to support entrepreneurship by giving participants skills that can be converted into income-generating activities.
The Federal Government said expanding access to relevant skills is critical to ensuring that Nigerian youths are better positioned to contribute to national development.
The initiative comes amid wider efforts by the government to promote youth empowerment, reduce economic vulnerability and create pathways for young Nigerians to become financially independent.
Officials also emphasised the need for beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired through the programme and take advantage of emerging opportunities in the digital economy, entrepreneurship and other productive sectors.
The training of 239,726 youths represents a significant expansion of government-backed skills development and highlights the increasing focus on human capital as a tool for economic growth.
However, stakeholders have consistently stressed that skills training must be accompanied by access to finance, jobs, infrastructure and supportive policies if beneficiaries are to translate their new abilities into sustainable livelihoods.
For the beneficiaries, the programme provides an opportunity to acquire practical knowledge and improve their readiness for an increasingly competitive labour market.
The Federal Government is expected to continue expanding youth-focused interventions as it seeks to build a workforce equipped to meet the demands of a changing economy.
The government maintains that empowering young Nigerians with relevant skills will not only improve individual livelihoods but also contribute to productivity, entrepreneurship and broader national economic development.
