….Adeleye, Babarinde, officials harp on skills development to tackle youth unemployment

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has commenced training under the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) Project at the Twim Institute, Ibadan.

The training, launched on Wednesday, October 29, forms part of the Federal Ministry of Education’s efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) across Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Founder of Twim Institute, Mr. Olumide Adeleye, said the project underscores the urgent need to prepare Nigeria’s youthful population for future opportunities.

“Nigeria has one of the world’s most youthful populations. By the end of this century, we will have about 700 million people,” he said. “This youthful population is a potential strength, but only if young people are equipped with the skills the modern economy demands. Otherwise, what should be a demographic dividend could become a global crisis.”

Adeleye, who is also a doctoral researcher at the University of Eastern Finland’s School of Computing, explained that Twim Institute is training participants in Creative Media Production, with emphasis on employability and entrepreneurship.

Representing the National Project Coordinator of the IDEAS Project, Mrs. Blessing Ogwu, the Procurement Consultant, Mr. Akintunde Babarinde, noted that skills acquisition remains key to global competitiveness. He reaffirmed the commitment of the IDEAS Project to expanding access to vocational training nationwide and urged representatives of the Oyo State Government to encourage more training providers to embrace similar opportunities.

Babarinde added that learners under the programme would receive government-sponsored training, internships, a six-month monthly allowance, certification, and potential startup funding to support their career or business goals.

The Training Programme Manager for the IDEAS Project at Twim Institute, Mrs. Moremi Adeleye, urged participants to take the programme seriously, stressing that although the training is fully funded by the government, the commitment and discipline of learners remain essential to achieving the project’s objectives. She reiterated that Twim Institute maintains high standards and warned that absenteeism and lateness would not be tolerated.

The event was attended by Mrs. Abiodun, who represented the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola. She commended the Federal Government, development partners, and the management of Twim Institute for the initiative, describing it as one that would promote national innovation. She also called for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the project’s success.

Also present was the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, represented by Mr. Fasasi Ismail, who pledged the ministry’s support for the project and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to initiatives that promote innovation and youth development.

Community leaders and project beneficiaries also attended the ceremony.

The IDEAS Project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and the World Bank, aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to expanding technical and vocational education as a strategy for tackling unemployment and promoting inclusive economic growth.