SenateOnJobCreation: Details Of Ongoing Senate Debate on Job Creation For Nigerian Youths

The Nigerian Senate is currently holding a session on job creation for the youth. The session is headed by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
Present are: Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Distinguished Senators and the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, representatives from YIAGA , MindTheGapNG, PLACNG and members of the public.

President/ CEO of HTCWY, Dr. Wunmi Hassan (Phd) took the podium to make her presentation and said ''we need a database for unemployed youths in Nigeria.
 Youth development has serious political, economic and social implication for Nigerian society''

The Senate President delivered his welcome address and said the event is a continuation of the Youth Development Round table discussion that Him and His Distinguished Senate colleagues sponsored on 9 October 2017. He said:

It is imperative that the National Assembly of the Federal Government, the private sector and civil society focus immediate attention to the youth unemployment and developmental crisis facing our country.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimates Nigeria has a youth labour force of 38.2 million people, of this number 15.2 million people are out of work or seeking for work. Available statistics show a majority of unemployed youth are female.

Sen. Bukola said the primary factors contributing to high youth unemployment are:

1. High population growth outpacing economic growth.

2. School curricula have not equipped students with appropriate skills for employment.

3. Lack of vibrant industries to absorb competent graduates.

Therefore, it is intended for our discussions to inform our budgetary and social policy decisions. For that matter.

 I am happy that this process has benefitted from the contributions of many civil society organizations (CSOs) that focus on youth development and empowerment.

The participation of CSO's is important because their grassroots networks and ideas serves to strengthen the legitimacy of the policy making and democratic process.

 We look forward to hearing your feedback about today’s session and to working with you on behalf of Nigeria’s youth.

Mrs. Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari for social protection plan mentioned the conditional cash transfer programme and the NPower scheme as some of the federal government initiatives that youths benefit from.

 

 Mrs. Maryam Uwais said the NPower is for graduates and non graduates and also stated that the  technological hub is presently in Lagos and Yola on real energy (climate change) for youths between the ages of 18 to 35.

 

Today's discussion will provide a way forward on putting an end to unemployment among the Nigerian youths.