President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to developing Nigeria’s human capital, describing the country’s youth as both “a blessing” and “a responsibility” that demands urgent investment.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at a manpower development summit in Abuja, Tinubu cautioned that without equipping the workforce for rapid technological shifts, Nigeria risks being left behind in the global economy.
“The world will not wait for us. We must invest in our people now,” he said, pledging to swiftly implement new skills development strategies.
The Federal Government’s newly unveiled policy focuses on stronger partnerships between public institutions and private industries, the creation of a national database of industrial skills, and elevating the status of technical professions such as welding, machining, and software engineering.
As part of the rollout, Nigeria has appointed its first Senior Special Assistant on Industrial Training and Development — a move the Minister of Sports Development, John Owan Enoh, hailed as “a historic milestone.”
Presidential Adviser Jumoke Oduwole emphasised that building a skilled workforce is central to Tinubu’s economic reform plan, while Labour Minister Mohammed Dingyadi called for coordinated training programmes across the nation to bridge existing skills gaps.
The policy marks a strategic push to ensure Nigeria’s youthful population is prepared to compete — and thrive — in a technology-driven future.
