Minister seeks private sector support to tackle Nigeria’s skills gap

From L-R; Dr. Emmanuel Okeleji, CEO of Seamless Technologies and Honourable Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa discussing at the recently held Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has called for stronger collaboration among government, educational institutions, and the private sector to bridge Nigeria’s skills gap and better prepare graduates for labour market demands.

The call was highlighted during a panel session titled “Building Nigeria’s Future Workforce” at the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja.

Alausa joined the Chief Executive Officer of Seamless Technologies, Dr Emmanuel Okeleji; Executive Director Skills Development Practice Iyin Aboyeji; and Technical Advisor of the Skills Development Practice, Dr Detoun Ogwoto, to discuss strategies for preparing Nigeria’s workforce for changing employment demands.

In a statement obtained from NESG’s website on Thursday, Alausa emphasised that Nigeria’s economic growth depends on equipping young people with practical, market-relevant skills rather than relying solely on academic certificates.

According to him, nearly 250,000 Nigerians are currently enrolled in the federal government’s vocational training program across more than 1,200 centers nationwide.

“As I speak, Nigeria now has Africa’s largest education database through NEDI and DNEMIS! This is a game changer for data-driven planning and accountability in education.

“We’ve made a great start on our end, but you know, and I know, that government cannot do this alone.

“We need the private sector to meet us halfway through stronger partnerships, industry-led training and more pathways to employment. Ultimately, we are building the pipeline of skilled Nigerians.

“Now we need the private sector to turn that potential into jobs, businesses and opportunities that will drive our economy forward,” he said.

Okeleji, speaking during the session, stressed the importance of using employer data to identify workforce gaps and guide skills development initiatives.

Drawing on data from nearly 2,000 organisations across Africa that use Seamless Technologies’ platform, he explained that recruitment and competency data could provide valuable insights into the skills businesses need and the gaps in the available workforce.

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The platform processes nearly 20 million job applications, giving the company access to hiring trends, employer requirements and the competencies candidates bring to the recruitment process.

He said, “The Federal Government has put a lot of intention behind revising the education curriculum. The question now is how we can support the work that is already under way.”

Earlier Okeleji said the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to revise the education curriculum could be strengthened by incorporating data from businesses actively recruiting workers.

He added that Seamless Technologies has a legitimate position to advise the government and provide the data we are seeing from employers that are hiring. This can help give a clearer picture of the skills businesses need and where the gaps exist.”

He also emphasised the importance of supporting small businesses to survive and grow, noting that efforts to tackle unemployment must go beyond job creation to ensure that businesses can sustain their operations and provide long-term employment.

At a separate session convened by Sterling One Foundation, Okeleji examined the growing mismatch between the skills job seekers possess and the competencies employers require.

He observed that businesses continue to face difficulties finding qualified candidates, particularly for positions requiring specialised technical and practical skills.

The Seamless Technologies CEO further urged private sector organisations to contribute to reducing unemployment by expanding their workforce and creating more employment opportunities.

“As a technology company, we have a responsibility to hire and contribute to reducing unemployment in Nigeria. The capital coming into the economy must translate into more jobs. There is still a lot of work to do, and I believe we can create more jobs,” he added.

The discussions underscored the importance of stronger partnerships between government, industry and educational institutions in developing a workforce equipped to meet Nigeria’s evolving economic and employment needs.

They also highlighted the potential of technology and workforce data to inform education policies, improve skills development and create a more productive and future-ready workforce.