Minister of State for Labour and Employment Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has emphasised the importance of youth empowerment through digital skills development for sustainable job creation in Nigeria.
The minister stated this Monday in Abuja during a study tour interactive session by a delegation from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) Senior Executive Course (SEC) 46, at the ministry.
She said the study tour was taking place at a critical time of the nation’s development, as the government strives to harness the potential of the digital economy to empower youths, and create sustainable jobs for all Nigerians.
Onyejeocha highlighted the theme of the study tour, “Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities,” as crucial for addressing the nation’s economic and social challenges.
She linked the theme to President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” which focuses on youth and job creation, acknowledging the vast opportunities presented by the digital economy.
She however stressed the need to overcome obstacles like digital literacy gaps, infrastructure limitations, and establishing proper regulations.
“The Digital Economy presents us with a wealth of opportunities for growth and development. It has the potential to revolutionize our industries, create new avenues for employment, and drive innovation across the country. However, to fully realize these benefits, we must address the challenges of digital literacy, infrastructure development, and regulatory frameworks.
“Empowering our Youth is essential for building a prosperous and inclusive society. They are the future leaders and drivers of our economy, and it is crucial that we invest in their education, skills & vocational development, and entrepreneurial ventures. By doing so, we can ensure that they are equipped to succeed in the digital age and contribute meaningfully to our nation’s progress.
“Sustainable Job Creation is a cornerstone of our development agenda. We must create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, attract investment, and generate employment opportunities for our citizens. This requires us to address issues such as infrastructure development, regulatory reform, and access to finance”, the minister noted.
The minister encouraged participants to actively engage with the issues and opportunities on the study tour, emphasizing the value of their insights and recommendations for shaping policies and programmes that propel Nigeria’s digital economy, empower its youth, and create sustainable jobs for all citizens.
Leader of the NIPPS delegation and director of studies, Prof. Funmi Paana-Mallam, expressed profound gratitude for the warm reception and said their coming was majorly because the ministry was strategically positioned in their mandate and their theme.
She added that the ministry is key to “midwifing” the President’s digital economy policy to provide job opportunities in the country.
“Our mandate is to carry out in-depth study investigation, and to formulate policies. The Ministry of Labour is strategically positioned in our 2024 theme, Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria, and we are here to learn and deliberate the core mandate , and look at the issues encountered by the Ministry, in order to know know where we can assist”, she said.
