By Shakirudeen Bankole

Nigerian youths have been urged to embrace vocational skills acquisition as the best strategic measure against hunger, starvation, and poverty.

At the just-concluded one-week-long 2025 Annual Youth Conference of the

Mountain of Life, Mount Zion, hosted by the Lagos Province Youths of the Eternal Sacred of the Morning Stars and St Michael Star, in Lagos over the weekend,, facilitators said University Degrees are no more enough guarantee for economic sustenance.

Hair Styling session.

The facilitators and stakeholders, expressed the admonition during the graduation ceremony of vocational skills trainees, as part of the main activities lading to the convergence.

They told journalists that the ongoing national campaign for Vocational Skills Acquisition as an alternative to economic relief can not be overemphasized.

The theme of the conference is: ” Ignite the Fire, Living Boldly for Christ.”

Shoe Making Session

They say skills such as Tailoring, Baking, Shoemaking, Tye and Dye, Electrical and Electronics, Buying and Selling, and Sales, among others, are tied to tied to essential needs for human existence and can never be replaced by the ongoing Artificial Intelligence Revolution.

Speaking with newsmen, the Convener of the skill acquisitions programme, Hon..Doyin Diya Odusanya, a Special Assistant to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Eaq, said they have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some financial institutions to secure Takeoff Grants for the trainees who have satisfactorily completed the programme.

ICT session

According to him, the trained was planned for 1000 Nigerian youths – Muslim, Christians and even those that profess the traditional religion.

He said 500 people, mostly those who have recently completed their SSCE, Jamb and awaiting University admission, were those who took advantage of the programme.

“So, in total, we have trained 500 youths on various vocational skills in the last few weeks. Some of them would access funds to continue the training and even start up their businesses, even while the training has officially winded down.

“The intervention is consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms agenda and the priority of creation of 2 million jobs before the end of his tenure.

“We have a strong conviction that the ongoing skill acquisition campaign is the most reliable channel to take us to this destination of economic self-reliance and prosperity. More so because ‘Work is the antidote of poverty. As we create more jobs, we resolve unemployment crises and as well as the social vices that comes with it,” he said.

Also speaking to newsmen at the event, were the trios of Pa Joseph Olatunji Adenoiki, the Baba Aladura of the Morning Star and St Michael Star , Mountain of Life, Mount Zion; Most Apostle General Paul Ojuyah, the Minister-in-charge of the Festac Branch of the Church, which hosted the conference; and Mr Austin Falowo, Head, Debt Management and Enforcement Department, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Lagos Mainland East Office.

A registered Civil Engineer by profession, with track record of involvement in almost all the national road infrastructure development projects across the country, Pa Joseph, a 94-year-old, said there is no other sustainable solutions to unemployment challenge in the country than skills and personal integrity.

“Just as much as we are advocating for skills, Personal Integrity is also very important. This is probably even more important than skills.. The lack of it puts trust in jeopardy and absence of trust truncates confidence and brings about an atmosphere of doubts..Nigerian political ruling class are leading in this unenviable position due to their inconceivable acts of corruption, abuse of power, and act of impunity. The professionals, especially the local one also need to up their games. Let me not say more than that,” the Septuagenarian, said.

For Most Apostle Ojuyah, University and Polytechnic Curriculums should take entrepreneurial development more seriously than theoretical learning.

“This is because knowledge will ultimately be measured by the number of tangible problems it can solve. And that is what translate to money, not how much theories and construct students can recall or cite.

“I advise the youth to also chose course of studies that aims at creating job not those that would further saturate the unemployment market. The truth is that the government can not do everything. We need to help ourselves also,” he added.

Electrical Training session

For Falowo of the FIRS, accepting the offer as one of the facilitators st the conference was because of his personal conviction on the importance of skill acquisition as a stopgap for the prevalent economic crises in the country.

He reiterated that the youths are the future of the country, and the church stands as a vehicle through which knowledge transfer from the experiences of the older generations to the younger generations is made possible.

According to him, due to the biting economic realities in the country, it has become crystal clear that ‘knowledge is power, as the Bible’s saying has reinforced that ‘ My people perished because of lack of knowledge.

“Interestingly, on my way here, I was talking to one of my brothers that came with me that Artificial Intelligence is not going to takeover hand crafts as they are. The jobs of Electricians, Shoemakers, Tailors, Beauticians, and other varieties of skills on display here. We have Cakes and Pastries Bakers here. We have Popcorn Makers here. AI is not going to do all of these things. And these things are tied to essential needs. Wether we have money or not, we must eat. We must wear clothes. We must wear shoes. We must lit our homes. We must barb and plate our hairs,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Akinode Feyisara, an undergraduate student of Yaba Tech, said the reason why she chose Tye and Dye was because of her desire to add additional skills to her Fashion Designing Craft.

“In this economy, we know the skill acquisition is the surest way of making money and live above poverty. This is my biggest motivation,” she told our reporter.

The resounding message from the conference aligns with a broader national push for youth empowerment through practical skills. As Nigeria grapples with high unemployment rates and the effects of a fast-changing global economy, initiatives like these offer a glimpse of hope for thousands of young Nigerians.

In a landmark effort to democratise access to credit for young Nigerians, the Federal Government has officially launched YouthCred, a bold new initiative under the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP). The programme kicks off with members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as the first beneficiaries, setting the stage for what is being described as Nigeria’s largest youth-focused credit intervention.

The launch follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Democracy Day address on June 12, where he promised that the initiative would commence in July 2025 and impact at least 400,000 Nigerians, including youth corps members.

Credit as a Tool for Transformation

“YouthCred is more than a loan program; it is a deliberate act of cultural re-orientation,” CREDICORP stated. “For decades, credit in Nigeria has been misunderstood, misused, or completely out of reach for young people. This initiative changes that.”

Designed to combine access to credit with financial literacy, YouthCred provides participants—starting with corps members—with digital credit education before they can apply for personalised and affordable loans. These loans cover a wide range of needs, from relocation and device purchase to training and small business funding.

“For the first time, young Nigerians will not only be able to access credit—they’ll understand how to manage it, repay it, and build trust with the financial system,” the agency added.

Institutional Collaboration: NYSC and CREDICORP Align

The rollout follows a successful strategic debriefing session with NYSC State Coordinators, during which CREDICORP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the NYSC. Officers across all 36 states were trained on the YouthCred platform, enabling seamless implementation.

This collaboration reflects a shared national vision to deliver credit not merely as a financial service but as a transformative socio-economic tool.

The platform is now live at www.youthcred.com.

Structured Financial Inclusion Begins

To access the YouthCred facility, corps members must complete a short, digital credit education module. Upon successful completion, they can apply for loans that suit their personal and productive needs.

The broader goal, according to CREDICORP, is to empower Nigerian youth to “begin building a credit history from an early age,” a vital step in achieving long-term financial health and inclusion.

What Comes Next?

With NYSC members as the pilot beneficiaries, the initiative will next expand to cover employed youth and young professionals in entry-level roles. This phase will offer credit products tailored to the realities and aspirations of working youth.

Subsequently, the initiative will target youth-led enterprises, providing capital for startups and small businesses run by young Nigerians.

“YouthCred signals the beginning of a generational shift—one that recognizes that financial trust must be earned early and that the Nigerian youth deserve the tools to thrive,” CREDICORP said.

A National Movement for Financial Empowerment

Beyond policy and platforms, YouthCred is being framed as a national movement—a response to the call for dignity, economic inclusion, and generational empowerment.

“In line with CREDICORP’s mandate to democratize credit and deepen access, YouthCred is setting the stage for a lifetime of financial empowerment for millions of young Nigerians,” the statement concluded.

In celebration of World Youth Skills Day 2025, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has restated his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through digital skills and vocational training.

The Governor made the pledge on Wednesday, July 16, while commissioning the Ondo State Skill Enterprise Development Centre, strategically located along Oda Road in Akure. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Youth Empowerment Through AI and Digital Skills.”

Equipping Young People for Today’s World

Dr. Aiyedatiwa emphasized the state’s goal to ensure that young people are equipped with practical, future-facing skills that will foster economic independence and reduce unemployment.

“Youths are the backbone of any society. For any government to succeed, the development of young people must be at the core of its plans,” the Governor said.

“We understand the limitations of government in providing white-collar jobs for everyone, and that is why we have created this centre to ensure that our youths are not idle, but engaged in learning profitable skills that will change their lives.”

He clarified that although World Youth Skills Day is traditionally marked on July 15, this year’s commemoration in Ondo State was shifted to July 16 due to a national public holiday.

From Unemployment to Empowerment

The newly launched centre, according to Aiyedatiwa, is a deliberate response to the challenges of youth unemployment and the rising threat of social vices due to idleness.

“This is a workshop for empowerment, a place where dreams can be built through skills,” he said.

“With this Centre in place, no youth should be found roaming the streets or engaging in criminal activities. We have provided the tools; it is now time for our young people to use them.”

The Governor’s remarks underscore a shift from policy to action, showcasing Ondo State’s proactive approach to leveraging AI and digital training to address workforce gaps.

Youth Advocates Applaud Governor’s Vision

In his welcome address, Orioye Gbayisemore, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, praised the initiative as a turning point for youth development in the state.

“This centre represents a practical commitment to youth welfare and a bold step toward tackling unemployment in the state,” Gbayisemore said.

He also announced that participants will receive transport allowances, aimed at encouraging consistency in attendance and long-term engagement.

Also speaking, Ayodele Adebayo, Vice Chairman of Akure South Local Government (representing Chairman Gbenga Fasua), called on skilled youths and artisans to make the most of the opportunity.

“We must not let this opportunity slip. Our local economy can thrive when young people are equipped to build, create and contribute,” Adebayo said.

Similarly, the newly sworn-in Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Omoyofunmi Segun Henry, expressed gratitude to Governor Aiyedatiwa for prioritising youth-related initiatives across sectors.