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Tag: jobs

  • DBI, SBTS collaborate to create 50,000 immediate jobs

    DBI, SBTS collaborate to create 50,000 immediate jobs

    A new partnership agreement signed between the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), and a United States-based SBTS Group LLC would create 50,000 immediate jobs and upskill over five million Nigerian youth by 2030, The Nation learnt yesterday. 

    According to Akin Ogunlade, the DBI and SBTS Group have already announced the commencement of the official launch of the strategic partnership in Abuja at the weekend, emphasising that the aim of the initiative was to equip Nigerian youth with essential digital skills, and empower them to compete in the global job market.

    Ogunlade, who is the Head of Public Affairs Department of DBI said as Nigeria’s digital economy rapidly expands, industries such as financial services, healthcare, entertainment, transportation, and ICT are witnessing unprecedented job creation.

    He, however, lamented in a statement that a significant skills gap remains, with millions of digital and ICT-related jobs going unfilled due to a shortage of qualified professionals. 

    He said the collaboration between the two institutions is a direct effort to bridge this gap by providing advanced training in digital literacy, coding, and other high-demand skills in the labour and employment market.

    He noted that the initiative aligned with the Federal Government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030) and the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative led by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy under the minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani,

    Ogunlade qouted the President/CEO DBI, Daser David, as saying that the project sought to upskill over five million Nigerian youth by 2030, and create about 50,000 direct and indirect jobs within a short time.

    Read Also: Six high demand jobs in 2025

    David, while emphasizing the transformative impact of the initiative said: “Nigerian youth are the catalyst for transforming our nation’s economic future. To pivot from an agriculture-dependent economy to a thriving digital landscape, they require targeted IT upskilling.

    “This initiative bridges opportunity gaps by providing after-school programs in

    digital literacy and vocational training for underserved youth, empowering them to

    compete in a tech-driven job market and fuelling inclusive economic growth.”

    The DBI president stated that the collaboration would contribute to the government’s broader mission of fostering decent, productive, and freely chosen employment opportunities for young people, while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national development agenda.

    He said: “The partnership between DBI and SBTS is a direct response to Nigeria’s digital skills deficit, focusing on job creation and economic empowerment. Each DBI campus will host a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center, designed to create thousands of job opportunities for young Nigerians, enabling them to secure both local and remote employment in the global digital economy.”

    Also, Evelyn Lewis, the CEO of SBTS Group, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth, adding, “despite the negativity and sense of hopelessness often portrayed, there are abundant opportunities for youth in Nigeria. 

    “We are excited to collaborate with DBI in advancing the federal government’s agenda to train and equip

    unemployed youth with digital skills and comprehensive ICT knowledge, empowering them for a brighter future.”

    He pointed out that the training would integrate digital skills into vocational education,establish comprehensive on-the-job training systems, and engage public and private sector employers in digital job creation, adding that the initiative has already commenced with facility upgrades and training programs at DBI’s Enugu and Kano campuses, with other locations scheduled for subsequent rollouts.

    Under the agreement, the SBTS Group will provide technical and financial support, ensuring that young Nigerians receive industry-relevant training that meets global standards.

    The initiative also emphasised youth-led digital entrepreneurship, providing participants with the tools to launch and scale their own businesses in the digital space.

    By integrating over 400 new digital courses into training curricula and promoting hands-on learning, the DBI-SBTS partnership is set to drive economic diversification of Nigeria through ICT; while the initiative’s strong focus on digital entrepreneurship will further accelerate Nigeria’s transition into a tech-driven economy, ensuring sustainable job creation and long-term growth. 

  • Govt eyes 2.5m jobs with LEEP initiative

    Govt eyes 2.5m jobs with LEEP initiative

    The Federal Government  said it is targeting 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians under the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP).

    Through LEEP, a flagship of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the government is targeting zero hunger, zero poverty economic growth and decent jobs through six strategic initiatives.

    The initiatives include: digital skills, vocational entrepreneurship skills programmes, infrastructural upgrade, NELEX upgrade for employment acceleration, global remote work initiative and labour compliance enhancement.

    At the unveiling of the programme on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, urged development partners such as the World Bank, GIZ, the European Union, UNIDO and the Bank of Industry to support the drive of the current administration to mitigate the hardship Nigerians are facing.

    The minister, who insisted that poverty could be eradicated from Nigeria, maintained that the ministry of labour and employment had many structures that could take care of all the issues mostly neglected in Nigeria if they were ignited.

    While noting that six out of the eight agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda were under the labour ministry, the minister maintained it was “time to take deliberate actions, think out of the box to make life more meaningful for Nigerians.”

    Read Also:FG warns corps members against security outfits promising jobs on illicit arms control

    Onyejeocha said: “We are at a position where we need to reposition the labour ministry. The world is moving towards technology and digitalisation and we don’t want to be left behind.

    “We can’t do it alone and so we need to partner with you to help us succeed in the country. Mr. President during his campaign was clear about where he wants to take Nigeria to. Today we want to be deliberate, accurate to key into the renewed hope agenda and we want to solicit your support to help us in achieving our key performance index.

    “The ministry is out to make sure poverty is reduced if not totally eradicated through job creation. If we create enough decent jobs it will reduce a lot of our problems we have today including insecurity.

    “We want to make sure Nigeria has food to eat, ensure regulation and workers welfare. Also, empowerment is very critical so we are going to be very deliberate in empowering people with what they can use to start up their own business and become employers of labour.

    “When you do this deliberately, poverty will be reduced, empowerment will be real and training will be impactful.

  • Cleric gives youths jobs, reduce poverty

    Cleric gives youths jobs, reduce poverty

    Federal Government has hailed Prophet Sam Olu Alo for creating jobs and eradicating poverty.

    It noted by providing jobs for youths, he is reducing poverty.

    Inaugurating Alo’s Adamimogo House, housing Adamimogo 105.1 FM and The Light Hotel and Event Centre, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, said Alo is increasing the kingdom of God.

    She said “That is what he has done today. And from the seat which I occupy, you are making my job easier, because I know that you are doing these to ensure poverty is reduced and jobs are created. I know many jobs have been created and poverty reduced.

    “So, Federal Government is excited to say to you keep … imparting on the people … we are going to partner you.

    She urged Nigerians to support governments with prayers.

    “Governments have found themselves where they never expected but we need prayers to get out of this position.

    “… As you are trying to better people spiritually, also do so physically. This is the least God can do through you …’’

    Read Also: EFCC quizzes ex-Gov Ahmed over alleged diversion of N10bn

    Alo said all he is doing is to impact on people.

    “I want to give them platforms to showcase their talents to better their lot’’.

    “Whatever position God has placed you, it is to affect lives of others positively. We should know that we have a limited time to spend on earth”.

    He, however urged the federal government to always train youths in various vocations and trades  and buy back whatever produced by them to encourage them.

    “This is the model I saw in Turkey. The government there, train the youth in whatever trade of their interest and buy from them their products. This encourages to continue in the trade.”

  • Jobs: Host communities caution against conmen

    The Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM) yesterday warned its members against dupes who take advantage of their vulnerability to exploit them with the promise of offering them juicy jobs.

    HOSTCOM’s National Chairman Benjamin Style Tamaraebi spoke at Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area during a familiarisation visit to the state chapter.

    He said the conmen had been parading themselves and duping innocent members on the pretext that they would be made directors of a non-existent modular refinery in the state.

    Tamaraebi said: “These conmen have collected lots of money from many people for employment in modular refinery, cooperatives and pipeline surveillance squad.

    “Yet, they know that all these programmes are in the pipeline but are yet to materialise to warrant employing anyone, not to talk of paying money for such vacancies.”

    Regretting the number of victims the conmen had duped before they were discovered, Tamaraebi assured that the offenders would not go unpunished.

     

     

  • FEC okays N5.5 billion to create 60,000 jobs

    The Federal Executive Council ( FEC ) on Wednesday approved N5.5 billion towards creating 60,000 jobs in the country.

    The contract, under the N-Power Knowledge Multipack project, target to train 12,000 youths between 18 and 25 years old.

    The 12,000 youths will in turn be empowered to train additional youths, bringing the total beneficiaries to 60,000.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Read Also: FEC approves N1.4b for DPR building design

    According to him, the contract, which was awarded under the Social Investment Programmes, will make provision of N259, 000 each for training the youths and N207, 000 each for their tools.

    The Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed disclosed that $6.8 million loan was approved for rebuilding of school in the North East.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that 20 new ecological projects have been completed across the country.

     

     

  • Atiku promises Katsina people’s jobs, security

    PEOPLE’S Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubabar has promised the people of Katsina State that he will create more jobs, security of lives and property, if elected President.

    Speaking at the party’s presidential campaign rally yesterday, Atiku said he would not lie to the people the way the All Progressives Congress (APC) did during the 2015 electioneering campaign.

    He said: “Now, let me promise you all, everyone knows any promise I make, I fulfill them. My first promise is that I will return peace to Katsina by God’s grace. Secondly, our youths that are jobless, by God’s grace, they will get jobs. Once we create jobs, is that not the end of hunger?

    “Let me remind you all; be careful with the APC. Since about three and half years, they came to lie to you all. They said they will create wealth and improve the economy. Have they created wealth? Is the economy better now? They said they will solve the security challenges, have solved insecurity?”

    Atiku urged the youth population to actively participate in the upcoming elections, saying he and others in the PDP were there to mentor them.

    “What I want to tell you all is that, this election is for the youths. As for us, we will only show you the way, we are done with ours. Once you vote, be patient for them to count and announce the results. Don’t let them cheat you, the vote is yours not for anyone else.”

    The PDP candidate restated his admonishment to the military, police and other security agencies to ensure peace during the polls and not to allow themselves to be used to manipulate election results.

    PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, who also addressed the rally, urged the people to vote for PDP to chase away joblessness, insecurity and hunger from the land.

    According to him, Atiku remained the only candidate that has the capacity and competence to get the country working again, adding that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed the country.

    Secondus said: “You know the APC government, they are confused. They are worried and they are adopting all sorts of measures to make sure that they rig this election. But you know APC, their plan is to destabilise this nation.

    “Their plan is to kill and to harm. This was the statement that came out from Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, that there will be body bags.

    “But let me remind him and other APC leaders that in 2015, the same el-Rufai and other leaders of APC travelled several times to the United States, to United Kingdom and brought in consultants and international observers that came and witnessed that election.”

    The party chair described Atiku as a symbol of unity and urged the people to vote for him and other PDP candidates in the general elections.

  • FACAN targets 10m jobs through rural agric

    Federation of Agricultural Commodities Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) said it is targeting 10 million jobs yearly with its planned rural agricultural revival campaign.

    The initiative aims to benefit up to 200,000 households in some communities, with special attention being given to ensure that women and youth are included in the scheme.

    Speaking with The Nation, its President Dr Victor Iyama said FACAN is determined to boost farm productivity nationwide to arrest   gross underemployment in rural communities.

    He stressed that agriculture offers great opportunities to drive development and raise living standards for millions of people.

    Since over 70 percent of Nigerians  live in rural area and depend on agriculture for their livelihood, he said FACAN is seeking grants from donors to promote farm economic opportunities to slow social mobility out of agricultural occupations.

    He said the association is seeking funds to enable it provide affordable finance for tractors, threshers, combine harvesters and other equipment to thousands of farmers across the country.

    He said the national rural agriculture renewal campaign will involve the development of farm settlements, alongside implementing various skill development initiatives to cater for the requirements of the sector.

    Iyama said it was important farmers   continue to grow diversity of markets.

    He said the association is going to work with farmers in the rural communities to create a gateway for them connect with the huge opportunities emerging in the market.

     

    He noted that, despite remaining challenges, the Government had taken huge strides in recent years to improve rice production.

    He added, however, that the government needs to join forces with the private sector to enhance rice productivity, by providing equipment and processing machines to improve food security and farmers’ livelihoods.

    According to him, the rice sector needs to increase plant capacity and establish a new position as a rice exporter in the world.

    For this to be achieved, he said farmers must be empowered with processing machines, such as paddy huskers and rice milling machines.

    He said FACAN would help producers, processors and exporters improve their productivity, quality of production, and capacity to biosecurity requirements.

    According to him, export opportunities make an important contribution to the economic growth and the livelihoods of people.

     

     

  • The jobless 20.9m

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has confirmed that the number of Nigerians without jobs rose in September of this year to 20.9 million. This time last year, the number of jobless Nigerians was 17.6 million. In percentage terms, the unemployment rate rose from 18.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2017 to 23.1 per cent in September 2018. This means that for every four Nigerians in employment, one person is without job. It is conceivable that the number of jobless Nigerians may be more than this, given the difficulty in having accurate data, especially from the rural areas.

    In both absolute and relative terms, having about 21 million Nigerians between 15 and 64 years old without jobs is alarming, particularly in view of the harm that poverty had caused in many parts of the world. Most countries hobbled by terrorists also have youth unemployment problems. Apart from Boko Haram, a high rate of unemployment in Nigeria can also lead to criminality and other forms of social disorder. Government thus needs to act fast to bring down this high rate of unemployment.

    Undoubtedly, rising unemployment did not start in this dispensation.  It has been rising steadily for about two decades. What is worrisome about the unemployment figure at the end of 2018 is that having over 20 million people without jobs seems to have belied all apparent policy efforts of the Federal Government in the last three years to cut the rate of unemployment. For example, in 2017 at the launch of the Economic Growth and Recovery Plan (EGRP), the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Okechukwu Enemalah, confidently predicted that the plan would produce 3.7 million jobs annually between 2017 and 2020. Even with unemployment benefits such as N-Power, School-to-Work Job Scheme, Anchor Borrowers Programme, and Rural Employment Management Information System, the number of jobless Nigerians seems to be rising every quarter, even for several quarters after the end of recession.

    For whichever political party controls the government after the forthcoming elections, there is need for governments to find more creative ways to stimulate and sustain job creation. Admittedly, efforts so far to diversify the economy, particularly the new emphasis on agriculture fit into the pattern of economic development in other countries, much more than the traditional dependence on sale of petroleum. But if economic growth continues to derive from capacity of an economy to produce goods and services, the federal and state governments will need, more than ever, to address the fundamentals of job creation in a free market economy in the age of technology.

    We know that about 65 per cent of jobs in all free market economies are generated by small-scale companies in the private sector. And that most governments make rigorous efforts to create enabling environment for the private sector to thrive, so that it can create and sustain jobs in response to new additions to the population. None of today’s productive activities—from agriculture to manufacturing and marketing—can thrive without provision of reliable electricity. Thus, the centrality of electricity to job creation in the private sector ought to become the priority at every level of governance in 2019. We urge our governments to commit adequate attention to power supply in efforts to provide a conducive environment for job creation. Generally, it is when there is uninterrupted electricity that other measures, such as tax cuts, additional spending on public works, unemployment benefits, and reduced interest rates can be effective in stimulating a job-generating private sector.

     

  • Ayade offers jobs to Cross River civil engineers

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has offered employment to graduates of civil engineering from the state.

    The governor announced this when the National Chairman, Institution of Civil Engineers, Andem Ekpo-Bassey, visited him, with members of the organising committee of the association’s 16th Annual General Meeting.

    Ayade directed the new recruits to submit their curriculum vitae (CV) at the Civil Service Commission, New Secretariat.

    The governor, who was inducted Honorary Fellow of the institution, lamented the ill treatment members have received in Nigeria.

    He noted that civil engineering plays a role in the progress of mankind and as such, must be treated with dignity and given the opportunity to contribute to the development of the nation.

  • AfDB boosts jobs with $2m for youths

    The African Development Bank’s Fund for African Private Sector Assistance (FAPA), has provided funds totaling nearly  $2 million to its Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative.

    FAPA, of which the Government of Japan is a major donor, along with the Austrian Government and the African Development Bank, will contribute $923,570 and $988,202 to finance the Bank’s Fashionomics Africa Digital Marketplace and Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab (eLab) programmes, respectively.

    Both programmes form key components of the Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy, which invests in high-growth sectors with potential to promote youth and women’s empowerment, as well as create 25 million jobs over the next decade.

    “Africa hosts the world’s youngest population, which will double to almost one billion by 2050. The continent needs to create jobs much faster, particularly for women and youth,” said Director of Women, Gender and Civil Society Department at the Bank, Vanessa Moungar.

    “FAPA’s generous support will go a long way to accelerating the Jobs for Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Lab and Fashionomics Africa Digital Marketplace programmes that contribute to meeting these needs,” Moungar further remarked, during the funding announcement event, which was themed “Entrepreneurs 2.0 – When fashion meets technology”.

    Attended by Bank staff, dignitaries, public and private sector stakeholders, the event was also graced by fashion designer PatheO’, known for making the distinctive, colorful shirts worn by the late Nelson Mandela and Salimou Bamba, Managing Director of the Abidjan-based SME development firm, AGENCE CI PME.