The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has called on the government at all levels to tackle the rising unemployment and underemployment plaguing Nigerian youth.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NESG, Mr. Asue Ighodalo made this known in Abuja while presenting the outcomes of the NES#26 to the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed.
He hinted that the two-day Summit is to called on the government to make Nigerian youth employable and develop their entrepreneurial skills.
According to him, “Government needs to reskill and upskill youth in labour market, transit them from informal to formal economy and boost their participation in the gig economy.
“Government also needs to conduct an impact assessment of previous youth empowerment programmes as well as partner with the private sector to co-create investment funds that will be managed by private sector and designated for empowering young people.
“Nigeria’s education curriculum should be reviewed and include entrepreneurship as a key part of learning in schools. Encourage mentorship to aid skills transfer.
“We need to implement deliberate policies to transform the productive potential of Nigerian youth in technology, talent, creativity, and innovation to open new markets for them.
Igohdalo continued; “There is the need to scale up formal apprenticeship programmes and encourage informal apprenticeship schemes through accreditations and certifications.
“Government needs to facilitate development of critical industries to absorb more youths. Youth should deliberately engage and be embedded in policy and governance across governments.”
The group also called on the government to establish a platform in collaboration with NESG for Nigerian youth to collaborate with the government in proffering solutions to challenges in different sectors.
The NESG through its recommendations advised the government to lead the way in proactively navigating the country towards recovery and resilience by expanding economic opportunity for all Nigerians through sound policies, strong institutions, and responsible public investments, especially pro-poor investments.
“Governments at all levels to unlock more private sector participation by removing sectoral rigidities that inhibit the potential of businesses to drive economic growth.
“Private sector to accelerate economic progress through innovation and investment strategies to unleash the dynamism of enterprise and industry for global competitiveness.
“The civil society should mobilise Nigerian to take civic responsibility and hold leaders accountable.
“The fierce urgency of the moment was palpable in discussions at the 26th Nigerian Economic Summit,” the group said.
