Jobberman, a leading career development and recruitment platform in Nigeria, has officially launched a career and upskilling training project in Abia State aimed at bridging the skill gap among unemployed young Nigerians.
The event, which took place at the ICAN Hall of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, attracted a large number of participants, mainly students and young people eager to acquire practical skills for the modern job market.
In her welcome address, Anita Ude Founder and Team Lead for the Jobberman Project in Abia, said the initiative was designed to give young people a fair opportunity to compete globally by preparing them adequately for the evolving job market.
According to her, the project is focused on equipping young Abians with practical and employable skills that will enable them to succeed both within and outside Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Raymond Ukwa, who represented the Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, in his goodwill message decried the low level of skill development among youths in the country which has rendered most of them unemployable.
He cited a recent revelation by the CEO of MoniePoint that over 500 roles in the company remain vacant due to a shortage of skilled personnel.
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Ukwa commended Jobberman for introducing the training project, noting that it would help position young people for employment opportunities both locally and internationally through strategic upskilling.
He lamented the widening skill gap in Nigeria, explaining that universities produce over 900,000 graduates annually, while only about 50,000 may secure employment.
According to him, this highlights the urgent need for young people to develop relevant skills in order not to be left behind in the highly competitive global economy
“About 53.2 percent of Nigerians are either unemployed or underemployed due to inadequate skills. It is important that we take cognizance of this reality and equip ourselves to be ready for opportunities when they come,” he stated.
He further noted that the administration of Alex Otti has been revitalizing moribund industries in the state, but questioned whether young people possess the necessary skills required to be employed in such companies.
Also speaking, the representative of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and wife Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Mrs. Nnenna Nwaubani, emphasized that women should not be excluded from upskilling opportunities, stressing that both youths and women need empowerment through relevant training and education.
She reiterated the need for students and young people to maximize the opportunity to upskill and prepare themselves for the ever-changing job market
Earlier in his remarks, Innih Ikhide, Head of Youth Engagement and Learning at Jobberman, explained that the organization was founded in 2009 to tackle the unemployment crisis in Nigeria.
He stated that Jobberman has partnered with Mastercard to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in today’s rapidly changing global economy.
Ikhide observed that many universities do not sufficiently prepare graduates for the realities of the modern job market, which increasingly demands practical and digital skills.
“How do young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35 upskill and become employable? That is the vision of Mastercard and Jobberman,” he said.
He added that beyond the training sessions, participants would also learn how to write professional CVs, work remotely, and access global employment opportunities.
Ikhide encouraged the students present to believe in themselves, remain hardworking, and take advantage of every opportunity for personal development.
The official flag-off of the Jobberman Project was performed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, who urged participants to make good use of the initiative in order to become better versions of themselves.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Nwogu Bright, President of the Students’ Union Government of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, commended Jobberman for creating an opportunity for students to gain valuable employability skills.
He advised students not to take the initiative for granted but to see it as a stepping stone toward achieving success in their various careers.
