The forum, held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa state, on Wednesday was organised under the theme, “youth empowerment for a sustainable future,” with a focus on “empowering youth through career pathways for economic development and sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.”

Young participants from Bayelsa, Abia, Delta, Edo and Rivers states attended the event alongside representatives of government institutions, private companies, academia, technical and vocational training institutions, host community development Trusts (HCDTs) and development organisations.

The participants explored career opportunities in information and communication technology, agriculture and agribusiness, renewable energy, construction and technical trades, hospitality and the digital economy.

They were also exposed to jobs, internships, apprenticeships, mentorship, training and enterprise-support opportunities through a career opportunities and support fair.

Sam Ogbemi Daibo, PIND executive director, said youth empowerment should go beyond skills acquisition and certification, stressing the need for systems that connect young people to jobs, markets and business opportunities.

“Young people do not need training that ends with a certificate. They need pathways that connect learning to jobs, markets, mentorship and enterprise opportunities,” Daibo said.

He added that young people who are able to build sustainable livelihoods would contribute to stronger local economies and more peaceful communities.

The event also featured a “voices of impact” session, where beneficiaries of PIND’s youth employment pathways programme shared their experiences of moving from skills acquisition to employment and entrepreneurship.

Patrick Ekpe, PIND’s youth employment pathways manager, said the success of the programme would be measured by the opportunities participants secure after the event rather than attendance alone.

“The measure of success is not simply the number of young people who attended. It is the number who leave with useful contacts, apply for opportunities, enter mentorships, secure internships or take concrete steps towards employment and entrepreneurship,” Ekpe said.

A panel session titled “From learning to earning: Connecting youth to real economic opportunities” examined employer expectations, workplace readiness, alternative career pathways and the role of youth employment in promoting sustainable peace.

The forum also highlighted opportunities in the cassava value chain through PIND’s Women and Youth Economic Empowerment for Sustainable Livelihoods project.

Participants were further introduced to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Nigeria’s renewable-energy sector and PIND’s NDLink platform, which provides access to jobs and career-development opportunities.

Otobotekere Cephas, a youth participant from Bayelsa state, said the forum provided practical guidance and connections that he found lacking in conventional empowerment programmes.

“I came looking for clearer direction and left with people and organisations I can follow up with immediately. I now understand the skills employers require and the opportunities available in my area of interest,” he said.

PIND said it would track commitments made by participating employers, mentors, training institutions and development organisations.

Follow-up assessments will be conducted to determine how the connections established at the forum translate into internships, mentorships, apprenticeships, jobs and enterprise-support opportunities.

The post PIND connects over 200 Niger Delta youths to jobs, mentors, training opportunities first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

Speaking at the national TVET conference 2026 held in Lagos on Monday, the minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu is implementing reforms aimed at equipping young Nigerians with practical skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Alausa said the reforms, being implemented under the renewed hope agenda, are designed to transform the education sector into a pipeline for innovators, entrepreneurs, technicians and job creators.

According to the minister, Nigeria faces an urgent need to strengthen workforce development as nearly five million young people enter the labour market every year.

Alausa said the Nigeria education sector renewal initiative (NESRI) is being used to strengthen the national skills qualification framework, improve quality assurance systems and expand access to competency-based training across the country.

He disclosed that more than 150,000 Nigerians are currently enrolled in skills acquisition programmes at over 1,600 accredited training centres nationwide.

The minister added that the programmes are supported by thousands of instructors and quality assurance personnel to ensure training standards and improve participants’ employability.

Alausa said the next phase of the initiative would focus on improving training quality, increasing private-sector participation and aligning skills development programmes with labour market needs.

He noted that emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing would play a major role in shaping future employment opportunities, making sustained investment in skills development critical.

The minister was also honoured with the TVET champion of the year award in recognition of his contributions to technical education reforms and efforts to promote skills development as a catalyst for economic growth.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, represented by Obafemi Hamzat, his deputy, described TVET as a vital tool for job creation, innovation and economic development.

Sanwo-Olu stressed the need to equip young Nigerians with practical, entrepreneurial and digital skills to remain competitive in a global economy increasingly driven by technology and green growth.

He highlighted Lagos state’s investments in technical colleges, industry partnerships and practical training programmes, while calling for stronger collaboration among government agencies, businesses and development organisations to strengthen the country’s skills ecosystem.

Earlier, Abel Enitan, the permanent secretary of the federal ministry of education, reiterated the government’s commitment to placing TVET at the centre of employment generation, social inclusion and sustainable development.

He cited ongoing efforts to upgrade technical colleges, expand competency-based learning and deepen partnerships with industry stakeholders and development partners.

Enitan also urged stakeholders to ensure training programmes reflect labour market realities and commended initiatives such as WorldSkills Nigeria for advancing youth empowerment.

Development partners at the conference praised Nigeria’s progress in implementing TVET reforms.

Switzerland’s Consul General, Conny Cammezind, reaffirmed her country’s support for youth employment and entrepreneurship, while Germany’s Consul General in Nigeria, Daniel Krull, commended the Renewed Hope TVET Initiative and the SKYE II programme.

Krull stressed the importance of industry participation and demand-driven training in achieving sustainable outcomes.

Also speaking, Karen Jansen, chairperson of the TVET Donor and Development Partners Working Group, described the conference as an important platform for promoting employability, inclusion and green growth through stronger policy coordination and the integration of digital and environmentally focused skills.

The three-day conference, themed “Harnessing TVET as a pathway to employment: Building a system for employability, inclusion and green growth in Nigeria,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders and development partners to explore strategies for advancing skills development and supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation.

The post FG expands TVET reforms as 150,000 Nigerians undergo skills training first appeared on The Times of Abuja.

The event is scheduled for May 13–14, 2026, at NECA House in Ikeja, Lagos, with the first day to be held virtually.

Themed “Empowering talents, building skills and driving inclusive growth,” the fair is designed to prepare participants for meaningful engagement with employers while providing a platform for stakeholders to discuss digital trends, skills development and career opportunities in Nigeria’s labour market.

Speaking from Geneva, Adewale Oyerinde, NECA director-general, said the initiative is a response to the changing nature of work driven by digitalisation and emerging technologies.

“The world of work is changing rapidly due to digitalisation and emerging technologies. Our youth need future-ready skills, yet unemployment and skills mismatch remain major challenges,” he said.

He added that participants will undergo a mandatory AI fluency course to equip them with essential digital skills for the modern workplace.

According to him, the training will culminate in a joint certification from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), and Microsoft.

The virtual session on May 13 will focus on interview readiness, including resume development, professional presentation and workplace expectations.

The physical session on May 14 will feature face-to-face interactions between job seekers and employers, including on-the-spot interviews, networking opportunities and career counselling.

He said the event will also host panel discussions with industry leaders and human resource professionals, offering insights into career development and the future of work in Nigeria.

Employers across sectors, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are expected to participate through recruitment activities, talent scouting and assessments.

Oyerinde said inclusivity remains a priority, noting that the fair will ensure participation of persons with special needs.

He described the initiative as part of NECA’s commitment to bridging the gap between talent supply and industry demand, while reducing unemployment and promoting a more skilled workforce.

The post NECA to host 2026 job fair, targets skills development, inclusive growth first appeared on The Times of Abuja.