Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian youth to harness available entrepreneurial and digital opportunities to drive national transformation. Speaking at the 60th Anniversary of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) in Port Harcourt, Shettima emphasized the government’s commitment to youth empowerment through targeted initiatives.
Represented by Hauwa Liman, Technical Advisor on Women and Youth Engagement, Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s youthful population as a significant advantage, urging young Nigerians to lead innovation in the digital economy and creative industries. He cited the administration’s initiatives, including a N110 billion entrepreneurship program and the planned establishment of a National Youth Development Bank and Youth Data Bank, as critical enablers.
“The digital economy and entrepreneurial space are yours to dominate,” Shettima said, encouraging youths to embrace innovation, creativity, and hard work. He assured them of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide the tools and resources needed for their success.
Meanwhile, NYCN President Sukubo Sara-Igbe celebrated the council’s anniversary as a milestone for youth leadership and advocacy. He urged young Nigerians to explore opportunities in the digital economy and not rely solely on traditional employment. Sara-Igbe also called on the National Assembly to prioritize youth-focused legislation and policy.
At a separate event in Lagos, Emeritus Professor Olugbemiro Jegede, founding Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), stressed the importance of equipping the Nigerian workforce with 21st-century skills. Speaking at the unveiling of the 21st Century Skills Roadmap by Career Digest Limited, Jegede advocated for integrating digital literacy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and soft skills into the national curriculum.
Career Digest Joy Chinwokwu emphasized the need to address the skills gap in education to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving workforce. “The fourth industrial revolution is here, requiring adaptable and innovative talent,” she said, highlighting her organization’s focus on bridging education and workforce readiness.
Acting Registrar of NABTEB, Dr. Nnasia Asanga, added to the discourse by advocating for the inclusion of Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning (LURe) strategies in Vocational Education and Training (VET). He described LURe as essential for keeping up with global trends, technological advancements, and shifting economic demands.
