As part of efforts to curb the crisis of unemployment in Nigeria, as well as aid and empower youths in emerging technological skills, the Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, has trained 80 young people in tech programmes through the Youth Skill Development Support Initiative (YSDSI). Speaking at the JDPC YSDSI graduation and close out session, held recently at St. Thomas More Chaplaincy Hall, University of Lagos, Very Rev. Fr. Raymod Anoliefo, Director, JDPC Lagos, lamented on the rate of unemployment in the country, stating that over half of the youth population are unemployed.
According to him, “As of the first quarter of 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Nigeria stood at about 8.4 percent, while the combined unemployment and underemployment rates over about 53 percent.” Fr. Anoliefo said this means that 53 percent of young Nigerians are either jobless or stuck in underemployment, adding that in Lagos alone, 5.5 million youths are trapped in the informal economy, hustling daily with little security and limited prospects. He however noted that technology is reshaping every industry, redefining the very idea of work, adding that Nigeria’s digital economy is already valued at more than $100 billion dollars, contributing over 18 percent to the nation’s gross domestic product, and projected to grow even faster in the years ahead.
According to the Priest, “The world is moving at digital speed, and it will not wait for those unwilling to learn. And this is why this initiative was born. To ensure that our young people are not left out. To ensure that they are not left behind. To transform raw talent into market-ready skill. To hand to our graduates, not just certificates, but confidence, resilience, and opportunity.” He said the graduands stand at the frontier of possibility, putting into good use the various skills that they have acquired. “With cybersecurity, you are guardians of trust in an age where data is wealth, with data analysis, you give meaning to numbers and clarity to decision-making, with front-end web development, you build doors through which businesses and ideas walk into the world. With virtual assistants, you bridge time zones and expand the reach of enterprise across borders”, he said.
Fr. Anoliefo urged them not rest on their oars, as he tasked them to continue learning, build portfolios, take internships and freelance openings, as well as form collaborations and use their work to uplift their families, strengthen their communities, and contribute to the Nigeria they long to see. Speaking on the theme, “Bridging the gap between skills and opportunities: Partnerships for youth employment, Mr. Ayodele Akinwunmi, Group Vice President, Digital Success Reliance Infosystems Ltd., urged the youths to maximise skills, commit to lifelong learning and need to think entrepreneurship.
He urged the government to create an enabling environment, and private sector leaders to support the youths and disadvantaged groups with opportunities. The tech skills run by the JDPC YSDSI include, cybersecurity, data analysis, front-end web development, and virtual assistants.
