By Victor Ahiuma-Young

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, NECA, and the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, have strengthened Nigeria’s leap into Artificial Intelligence, AI, cybersecurity, 3D animation, and data analytics skills revolution under their Technical Skills Development Project, TSDP, to empower young Nigerians with cutting-edge digital and technical skills needed to compete in the 21st-Century economy.

The initiative, seen as a bold step toward building a digital-ready workforce, focuses on equipping youths with demand-driven industry skills such as AI, cybersecurity, 3D animation, and data analytics, among others.

Speaking at the sixth graduation ceremony of the NECA Information and Communications Technology, ICT, Academy in Lagos, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, informed that 75 young Nigerians were trained in the four key digital areas free of charge over a four-month period, with daily feeding and transportation stipends.

According to him, the project aims to take young people off the streets, make communities safer, and strengthen the economy through empowerment.

“The idea is to take them off the streets and make the community safer for everyone. The more we take them off the street, the safer it becomes, and the more empowered they are, the stronger the economy,” Oyerinde said.

He noted that the initiative reflects NECA’s commitment to tackling unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with employability skills aligned with industry demands.

On government’s approach to education and youth empowerment, the NECA Director-General called for a rethink of Nigeria’s heavy focus on university education in favour of a more practical, skills-based model. According to him: “It is funny that government is still giving licences to new universities in 2025, when countries abroad are adopting the dual Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, model, where focus is not only on university degrees.

“By the time most university graduates finish school, they start looking for jobs. Why don’t we adopt the dual TVET model where students spend part of their week in school and part in industry? That way, by the time they graduate, they already have relevant skills.

“It is worrisome that while we promote technical skills development, we are still licensing more universities. It’s a contradiction. We should focus more on TVET because that’s where true development lies. While we are not downplaying university education, greater attention should be given to TVET.”

On his part, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of ITF, Dr Afiz Ogun, among others, noted that ITF partnership with NECA has benefited the country immensely especially in the area of skills development.

Represented by Zonal Director of ITF, Ojo Akindele, said Dr Ogun said skills development is the key to the growth in every sector of the nation’s economy, stressing that the collaboration is bridging skills development gaps the country’s economic growth.

According to him, the training would have far-reaching effects on the economy and society, urging the graduates to become job creators through volunteerism and innovation.

“That will open doors for them.  The future is not what you entre, but what you create”, he added.

In his remarks, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading digital talent hub.

Represented by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Olatubosun Alake, Hamzat commended NECA for its sustained partnership in developing human capital and driving innovation across sectors.

He said the alignment between industry and skills development is essential for Nigeria’s progress in the era of AI and digital transformation.”Have the right mindset and never stop learning. Get extremely good at what you do. That’s the only way to stand out in today’s crowded market. If you are very good at what you do, value will find you. Skills attract value globally. Keep learning and keep improving,” he advised the graduates.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Ajigbotafe—represented by the ministry’s Director of Employment, Lateef Shitta, described ICT as the backbone of productivity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

He noted that initiatives like the NECA Academy are nurturing a digitally skilled generation ready to drive economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to preparing a future-ready workforce, Ajigbotafe highlighted various state programmes focused on mentorship, job placement, and enterprise development opportunities for young people.