The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has urged Nigerian youths to acquire the necessary skills to thrive in the global market and effectively position themselves for 21st-century jobs.
The Minister made this call at a colloquium organized by BTO Youth Development Convention, themed “We Can Evolve: Building a Prosperous Nation, a Joint Task, the Tunji-Ojo’s Model,” held in Akure, the Ondo State capital. He encouraged the youth to rethink their approach and prioritize acquiring new skills.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Innovation, Prof. Mukhtar Abdulkadir, Tunji-Ojo emphasized that adopting a skills-based approach would help Nigeria produce graduates who are not only theoretically knowledgeable but also practically equipped to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal progress.
He stated that obtaining a degree is not enough and urged the youth to focus on acquiring in-demand skills, especially in ICT, to gain an edge in the job market.
He said: “With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), many graduates today are still focusing on traditional fields like electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and medicine. However, the World Economic Forum in 2023 projected that by 2030, 83 million jobs will be lost, while 95 million new jobs will be created.
“What are these 95 million jobs? They include roles such as artificial intelligence and machine learning experts, robotic engineers, cybersecurity experts, and sustainability experts.
“Today, some roles, like those of lawyers, may be replaced by social development experts, also known as social impact experts. For instance, AI tools on the internet can already provide solutions for various problems. In the future, these tools might replace certain jobs.
“If you have already graduated with a degree in electrical or chemical engineering, or law, you can still pursue certification programs. There are many vocational training programs available.
“Don’t limit yourself by thinking that a university degree should preclude you from vocational training. The world is increasingly valuing skills over certificates.
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“Skills are what matter, and you can obtain them through vocational training,” he stressed.
Tunji-Ojo emphasized that unlocking the potential of youth is crucial for driving national prosperity and global development. Young people, who make up a significant portion of the world’s population, are key to innovation, economic growth, and social transformation.
“Realizing this potential requires more than individual efforts; it requires a collective approach involving collaboration among governments, educational institutions, the private sector, civil society, and the youth themselves.
“A collective approach is essential to encourage youths to achieve greatness and make a significant impact in their communities. This includes creating comprehensive support systems.
“By working together, stakeholders can create an environment where youth are supported throughout their development, from education to employment.
“Governments, schools, and the private sector should collaborate to provide quality education and vocational training that aligns with market demands. This ensures that young people are equipped with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.”
The Minister highlighted some of the achievements which include: Swift clearance of passport backlogs and issuance of new passports; elimination of 2.5 million NIN modification backlogs; prison decongestion and inmate rehabilitation; launch of the safe school initiative; enhanced emergency and Fire response capabilities and establishment of enhanced e-passport facilities in key embassies
Others include technological advancement in passport processing; completion of a state-of-the-art data centre and command hub; launch of 10,000 Agro Rangers for farmland protection; remodelling and upgrading of the National Fire Academy; installation of e-Gate facilities at major international Airports; establishment of the “Power Rangers” initiative for infrastructure protection; launch of mining marshals to protect national resources; commissioning of 30 operational vehicles for border surveillance among others.
