Youth Exclusion Could Derail Development Goals, UN Issues Urgent Warning

By: Michael Mike

A senior United Nations official has issued a strong warning that governments and institutions risk deepening instability and policy failure if they continue to sideline young people, insisting that meaningful youth inclusion is now a critical condition for peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Speaking in Abuja at an interactive session with youth, the United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Youth Affairs and Head of UN Youth Affairs, who is currently on an official visit to Nigeria, Mr. Felipe Paullier, said global institutions are failing to evolve at the pace required to match today’s rapidly changing realities, particularly the demographic shift driven by an unprecedented youth population.

The event, themed “Open-Door Youth Engagement,” convened youth-led organizations, young women’s groups, youth peacebuilders, innovators, students, young professionals, persons with disabilities, and underserved youth communities for an interactive dialogue with representatives of the Government and the United Nations.

According to Paullier, young people now represent the largest, most educated, and most interconnected generation in history, especially in developing countries like Nigeria. However, this demographic advantage is being undermined by persistent gaps in access to quality education and limited opportunities for meaningful participation in governance.

He noted that: “Engaging young people in policy is not just an option—it is a condition if we want to achieve peace, stability, and effective solutions.”

He said the UN acknowledged a growing disconnect between policy formulation and real-world impact, describing the process of closing this gap as complex but urgent.

He admitted that while global frameworks exist, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and youth-focused strategies, implementation at the national level remains inconsistent.

LHe emphasized that governments must move beyond rhetoric and adopt clear, actionable commitments that integrate youth voices into decision-making processes.

He said central to this effort is the UN’s broader development roadmap, which includes commitments to embed youth participation not only at global levels but also within country-level governance and policy execution.

Addressing concerns over the sustainability of policies, he warned that many initiatives fail because they are not designed to endure or adapt over time. The solution, the official argued, lies in institutionalizing youth engagement rather than treating it as a temporary or symbolic exercise.

He noted that nearly half of the world’s population under 30, and significantly higher percentages across Africa, the stakes are even higher for countries on African continent.

He said: “Youth engagement should not be seen as a project—it must be embedded at the heart of governance, financing, and development planning.”

The UN also called for increased investment in youth-driven innovation, noting that young Nigerians are already transforming sectors such as agriculture, technology, and the creative economy through ingenuity and entrepreneurship.

Youth Exclusion Could Derail Development Goals, UN Issues Urgent Warning

Nigeria’s Skills Crisis Deepens as Government, Experts Push Urgent Overhaul of Technical Education

By: Michael Mike

Growing concerns over Nigeria’s widening skills gap took centre stage in Abuja on Wednesday, as education stakeholders warned that the country risks undermining its industrial ambitions without a radical overhaul of its technical training system.

At a high-level session of the BEAR III Programme convened by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the Federal Ministry of Education Nigeria acknowledged that current training models are failing to keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of industry—particularly in agro-processing, a sector seen as critical to job creation and economic diversification.

Director of Technology and Science Education, Mrs. Patricia Ogungbemi,, delivered a blunt assessment: Nigeria is producing graduates who are increasingly disconnected from the realities of modern workplaces.

While investments in infrastructure and technology have grown, she warned that the human capacity needed to drive those systems remains weak.

“There is a dangerous mismatch between what is taught and what is required,” she said. “Machines are evolving, industries are advancing, but the workforce is not keeping up at the same speed.”

Ogungbemi pointed to emerging trends such as automation, smart packaging, and sustainable production systems, noting that many Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions have yet to integrate these realities into their curricula.

She described the ongoing Labour Market Analysis (LMA) as a critical diagnostic tool, but stressed that data alone would not solve the problem without decisive policy action and sustained funding.

“What we are confronting is not just a training issue—it is a structural challenge that affects productivity, competitiveness, and national growth,” she added.

The warning comes amid rising youth unemployment and growing frustration among employers who say graduates often lack practical, job-ready skills.

Stakeholders at the event argued that unless Nigeria urgently retools its education system to prioritise hands-on, industry-driven learning, sectors like agro-processing—despite their vast potential—may struggle to absorb the millions entering the labour market each year.

Kano State Commissioner for Education, Ali Makoda, reinforced the urgency, describing work-based learning as a “non-negotiable pathway” to addressing the crisis.

According to him, states are beginning to recognise that traditional classroom models alone cannot solve unemployment challenges.

“We must embed learning within the workplace,” he said. “The future of education is not just in classrooms, but in factories, farms, and production lines.”

Makoda said Kano State is scaling up partnerships with industry players to ensure students gain real-world experience before graduation, aligning training with both national development goals and global standards.

Despite these commitments, participants acknowledged persistent obstacles, including underfunded institutions, outdated equipment, and weak collaboration between academia and industry.

They also stressed the need for stronger private sector involvement, arguing that employers must play a more active role in shaping curricula and offering apprenticeship opportunities.

With support from international partners, including the Government of the Republic of Korea, the BEAR III initiative is expected to drive reforms in skills development, particularly in agriculture-linked industries.

However, observers said the success of such programmes will ultimately depend on Nigeria’s willingness to translate policy discussions into concrete, system-wide change.

As deliberations continue, one message remains clear: without a skilled workforce aligned to industry needs, Nigeria’s economic aspirations may remain out of reach.

Nigeria’s Skills Crisis Deepens as Government, Experts Push Urgent Overhaul of Technical Education

FG Vows to Amplify Women’s Voices, Push for Gender Equality in Leadership

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has renewed its pledge to safeguard women’s and girls’ rights, promising to expand their influence in Nigeria’s leadership and development sectors.

Speaking at the annual Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership (RWVL) planning meeting, organized by ActionAid Nigeria in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, emphasized that the government will intensify collaborative efforts to ensure women gain greater access to leadership roles, productive assets, and socio-economic opportunities.

Represented by Ebele Obiefuna, the Minister lauded ActionAid’s role in strengthening women’s organizations and driving empowerment programs nationwide. “We value this partnership and reaffirm our commitment to initiatives that create lasting impact for women across Nigeria,” she said.

Highlighting government support, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Abubakar Bagudu, represented by Mrs. Tonia Okangbe, assured participants that ministries would back programs advancing women’s leadership and rights.

ActionAid Nigeria Country Director, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, revealed that RWVL is entering its second phase, building on successes that have strengthened women’s political participation, advocacy, and socio-economic influence. He stressed that the initiative is designed to ensure that women’s voices are not only heard but shape decision-making processes at all levels.

“This is about more than programmes,” Mamedu said. “It’s about creating a future where women’s leadership is visible, respected, and transformative for communities across Nigeria.”

The meeting signals a renewed focus on closing gender gaps in leadership, empowering women economically, and ensuring that their contributions to governance and society are recognized and amplified.

FG Vows to Amplify Women’s Voices, Push for Gender Equality in Leadership