The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that 55% of Nigeria’s youth are either unemployed or underemployed due to a lack of technical and vocational skills needed in today’s job market.
Abbas made the statement on Wednesday during a public hearing organised by the House Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education in Abuja. Represented by Auwal Gwadabe, a lawmaker from Bauchi State, the Speaker stressed the urgent need to equip young Nigerians with practical skills to compete in an evolving economy driven by technology.
“Modern economies are advancing through science, technology, and vocational education. Unfortunately, many Nigerian youths lack the necessary skills to thrive in such an environment,” Abbas said.
He noted that theoretical knowledge alone is no longer sufficient, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data. “We must prioritise technical and vocational training to prepare our youth for the demands of the current labour market,” he added.
Abbas assured that the 10th National Assembly is committed to improving access to quality technical education as part of its legislative agenda.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee, Kayode Laguda, said the proposed bills aim to promote entrepreneurship and skill acquisition to reduce unemployment. One of the bills, sponsored by Solomon Wombo, seeks to establish the Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition in Zaki Biam, Benue State.
Wombo explained that the institution would help bridge the skills gap in sectors like agriculture, commerce, and technology. “This initiative will empower youths to become self-reliant, reduce unemployment, and boost small businesses, which are the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.
The lawmaker added that the college would serve as a model for entrepreneurship development, helping to shift young Nigerians’ focus from white-collar job dependency to self-employment and wealth creation.
The hearing comes amid growing concerns over Nigeria’s rising unemployment rate, with many youths struggling to secure jobs despite having formal education. Experts have repeatedly called for increased investment in technical and vocational training to address the skills mismatch in the labour market.
