Alliance for Youth Nigeria Equips 25,000 Young People with Skills and Jobs
The Alliance for Youth Nigeria has reached a clear milestone. In four years, more than 25,000 young Nigerians have moved into work. Many gained new skills. Others launched businesses. Each story points to one truth. Strategic collaboration changes lives.
A Collaboration Built to Deliver Results
The Alliance began with a bold idea. Private and civic leaders would join forces for youth jobs. Founding partners include Nestlé Nigeria and Jobberman Nigeria. Big Bottling Company is also a founder. The United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria joined as well. U Connect HR Limited completes the founding group.
Public sector support has been strong. The Federal Ministry of Youth backs the work. Lagos State Employment Trust Fund offers support. Activate Success International also plays a key role. These partners share one goal. They want Nigerian youth to thrive.
An Ambition for 2030
The Alliance set a clear target for the future. It plans to equip 250,000 young people with practical skills by 2030. The focus is employability and entrepreneurship. The aim is measurable impact. Skills must link to real work. Learning must create income.
Training that Leads to Work
This year brought a vivid example. In Jos, 585 young people completed vocational training. The programme covered beauty care and video editing. It also taught solar panel installation and web design. Learning moved beyond the classroom. Standout participants received start up kits and seed funding. Others delivered live projects that showed immediate value. Graduates left with confidence and proof of skill.
Why Youth Skills Matter Now
Nigeria’s youth population is vast. It represents a powerful resource for growth. Skills unlock that potential. Employers need job ready talent. Communities need fresh solutions. Families need steady income. The Alliance bridges these needs through training and support.
Voices from the Private Sector
Partners see youth investment as a duty. Shakiru Lawal of Nestlé Nigeria shared this view.
“Nestlé remains committed to empowering young people with skills and opportunity,” he said. “With our partners, we are building paths to employment and leadership.”Jobberman echoed this mission. Olamide Adeyeye spoke to the scale of need.
“More than seventy percent of our people are youth,” he said. “True transformation demands deliberate investment in young talent.”
A Global Call to Action
Voices from the global community are aligned. Stephanie Iwunze spoke for the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria. She delivered a clear warning.
“Our young population is a vital asset,” she said. “In a fast changing world, investment is urgent. Delay widens the gap with global progress.”
Government Support and National Gains
Government leaders see skills as nation building. Mrs. Deborah Simon Pitmang of the Federal Ministry of Youth praised the Alliance.
“Skill development builds people and nations,” she said. “Higher skills lead to higher gains. We commend the sustained effort.”
From Training to Real Opportunities
The Alliance measures success by outcomes. Participants secure jobs or start businesses. Alumni return as mentors. Communities feel the impact through services and income. Employers gain talent that can deliver from day one. Results create momentum for the next cohort.
What Comes Next
The roadmap is clear. The Alliance will expand training across more regions. It will deepen partnerships with the public sector. It will grow links with employers and investors. New programmes will match the modern job market. Digital skills will play a bigger role. Green and service sectors will see more focus. Each step aims at scale and sustainability.
Why This Story Matters
Youth employment shapes the nation’s future. When young people work, communities prosper. When they build businesses, value multiplies. The Alliance offers a proven model. Collaboration turns ambition into outcomes. The next chapter calls for even greater reach.
