Stakeholders in Nigeria’s local content development ecosystem have trained 250 youths in Lagos on income-generating vocational and digital skills, as part of efforts to address unemployment and promote economic self-reliance.
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The training, organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in partnership with Jake Riley Academy, ended in a graduation and starter-pack distribution ceremony for participants drawn from different parts of the state.
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Chief Executive Officer of Jake Riley Limited, Funmi Ogbue, said the programme was intended to provide participants with practical skills and the tools to succeed, rather than handouts or charity.
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She emphasised that graduates should immediately put their skills into practice and maintain high standards, as the quality of their work would determine their success, noting that the training was designed to transform participants into job creators, equipping them with both the capability and resources to build sustainable livelihoods.
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“The President has further charged young Nigerians to build boldly, innovate courageously, and scale fearlessly, as you are the generation that will shape the nation,” she said.
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‎Speaking at the ceremony, NCDMB representative, John Barigha, said the initiative reflects the Board’s development mandate and its focus on practical skills that can provide financial stability.
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He urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the tools provided to them, stressing the importance of vocational and technical competencies in generating sustainable income for young Nigerians.
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“If you take these skills seriously and put them into practice, you can earn a daily income and become self-reliant. Please don’t sell the starter packs. When you sell them, you are selling your future,” he said.