We’ll support Nigeria to deliver 2m digital jobs, says ILO

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says it is committed to supporting the Tinubu-led administration to create over two million digital jobs to reduce unemployment.

Vanessa Phala, ILO’s country director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, spoke during the commemoration of this year’s World Youth Skill Day in Abuja, themed: ‘Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: Building Skills for Tomorrow’.

Phala said the digital economy has become an integral part of Nigerians’ daily lives, thereby shaping the industrial sector and creating more opportunities.

She said Nigeria has a youthful population that requires the right skills to strive in the digital world.

“Today, we gather to celebrate the remarkable potential of our young people and to emphasise the critical role of skills development in preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, ” Phala said. 

“We realise that the future is now and the skills are needed now. We know that Nigeria has a youthful population with a vibrant energy that stands for the principle of a transformative journey.

“However, to unlock the potential of Nigerian youths, we must invest in them, equip them with the right skills and create an enabling environment that would enrich their talents.”

Phala also said the ILO has supported the ministry of youths and sports development to establish the Nigerian youth development action plan which would focus on entrepreneurship among others.

“To fulfil the potential of this digital era, we must ensure that our young people are not only technologically trained but must possess critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability skills to strive in a changing world, ” she added. 

“The ILO is supporting the government in this digital transformation agenda and will continue to support the new government to deliver the promises of creating over two million jobs in the digital economy.”

In his remarks, George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation, said the potential of young people should be harnessed to catalyse transformation.

Akume was represented by Nko Esuabana,  permanent secretary, political and economic affairs office (OSGF).

“Together, we have embarked on a collective endeavour to reach the skill gap and empower our youths in the green, digital and creative economy,” he said. 

“The dialogue lies not only in addressing the challenges facing our young ones today but also in harnessing their potentials as catalysts for transformational change.”