The International Labour Organisation has promised to support the new administration to deliver the over 2m digital jobs promise, NewsSpecng learnt.
This, ILO said was part of the efforts to join the government reducing unemployment rate in the country.
The ILO Country Director for Nigeria, Vanessa Phala, stated this at the World Youth Skill Day in Abuja on Friday, with the theme, “Empowering Youth for a Sustainable Future: Building Skills for Tomorrow”.
Phala who also covers Ghana, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, emphasised the need for Nigeria’s teeming youth to be equipped with the right skills to strive in the digital world.
She noted that the digital economy has become an integral part of Nigerians daily lives, thereby shaping the industrial sector and creating more opportunities.
The Country’s Director said, “Today, “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 2million jobs in the digital economy.”
She said further “We gather to celebrate the remarkable potential of our young people and to emphasize the critical role of skills development in preparing them for challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
“We realise that the future is now and the skills are needed now. We know that Nigeria has a youthful population with vibrant energy that stands for a principle of 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.
“The ILO has supported the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development to develop the Nigerian Youth Development Action Plan with emphasis more on entrepreneurship among others.
“To fulfil the potentials 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.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stressed the need to harness the potential of young people as a catalyst for transformation.
Akume, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, OSGF, Nko Esuabana said, “Together, we have embarked on a collective endeavor to reach the skill gap and empower our youths in green, digital and creative economy.
“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.”
