Private sector organisations have intensified efforts to bridge Nigeria’s widening skills gap, training 60 youths in Ibadan with practical and entrepreneurial competencies to enhance workplace readiness and employment prospects.
Concerned about the widening gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness in Nigeria, private sector actors have intensified efforts to prepare young people for employment, with 60 youths recently trained in practical and entrepreneurial skills in Ibadan.
The training was conducted under the Skill-Up Ibadan 2.0 initiative organised by Ogbeni Labzy Alternative in partnership with the Tegbe Foundation, as part of efforts to strengthen workforce readiness and support human capital development.
The two-week programme, held in Ibadan, brought together young professionals for intensive training designed to equip them with practical competencies needed to thrive in today’s competitive labour market.
Facilitated by industry practitioners, the sessions combined technical training with critical soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and entrepreneurship, reflecting growing recognition that employability now requires more than academic knowledge.
Convener of Ogbeni Labzy Alternative, Adeola Adelabu, said the initiative was conceived as a deliberate intervention to address the persistent skills gap affecting many Nigerian youths entering the workforce.
According to him, the programme was structured to expose participants to market-relevant knowledge and practical tools that would improve their ability to secure employment or create their own opportunities in an increasingly dynamic economy.
Adelabu noted that the initiative also reflects the growing role of private sector organisations and philanthropic institutions in supporting youth empowerment and workforce development.
The programme was organised in commemoration of the 60th birthday of Joseph Tegbe, whose foundation has been actively supporting youth-focused initiatives across sectors.
Other partners involved in the programme included Sebs Hub, SkillNG, and SchoolNowNow, which contributed to the programme’s design, facilitation and learning resources.
Participants who completed the training said the programme significantly improved their technical knowledge, strengthened their soft skills and boosted their confidence to pursue career opportunities in a challenging economic environment.
In a goodwill message, Executive Director of the Tegbe Foundation, Femi Adeleke, praised the organisers and reiterated the foundation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower young people and enhance workforce readiness.
He stressed that sustained investment in skills development remains critical to unlocking Nigeria’s demographic potential and preparing young people to contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
Additional remarks by Olajumoke Adelabu and Ibrahim Oredola highlighted the importance of partnerships among the private sector, development organisations and training institutions in expanding opportunities for young Nigerians.
Certificates were presented to all participants at the end of the programme, with special recognition given to outstanding trainees and contributors.
Stakeholders at the event expressed optimism that expanding initiatives such as Skill-Up Ibadan would help address the growing skills deficit in Nigeria’s labour market while strengthening the country’s human capital base.
Michael Olugbode
