By Jumoke Olaitan
Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-East, has urged Nigerian youths to leverage Federal Government opportunities in skills development, employment, education financing and entrepreneurship.
Arodiogbu, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had created several pathways to enable young Nigerians acquire relevant skills.
He also said that the present administration had provided opportunities for youths to access funding, secure employment and build sustainable careers.
He, however, said lack of awareness remained one of the major challenges preventing some prospective beneficiaries from accessing available government programmes.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda is not only about infrastructure and economic reforms but also about creating opportunities for young Nigerians to participate directly in the nation’s economic transformation.
“Our young people must know that opportunities are being created for them. The government is investing in skills, education, digital work, entrepreneurship and employment.
“We must ensure that no young Nigerian misses an opportunity simply because he or she did not know it existed,” he said.
The APC chieftain identified seven programmes and opportunities young Nigerians should explore, subject to eligibility requirements and availability of application windows.
He listed the programmes as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), NiYA Gig Digital Work Platform, Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP).
Other, he said, are the Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, and SMEDAN’s creative and garment initiatives.
On TVET, Arodiogbu said technical and vocational education provided pathways for Nigerians to acquire practical and market-relevant skills.
He said vocational skills should no longer be regarded as a second choice, noting that electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, fabricators and ICT technicians, among others, were essential to Nigeria’s industrial and economic development.
He urged young Nigerians to explore accredited training opportunities and acquire skills capable of generating income locally and internationally.
Arodiogbu also encouraged youths to explore the NiYA Gig Digital Work Platform, particularly those with skills in writing, graphic design, programming, digital marketing, video editing and data-related services.
He said the growth of digital work had created opportunities for Nigerians to provide services beyond their immediate geographical locations and participate in the global freelance economy.
On NELFUND, the APC leader said the student loan scheme could help reduce financial barriers preventing young Nigerians from completing tertiary education.
“Education remains one of the most powerful investments any nation can make in its young people.
“No qualified Nigerian should abandon education simply because of temporary financial difficulties when legitimate financing opportunities are available,” he said.
Arodiogbu described the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme as another important avenue for young graduates to gain practical workplace experience through structured placements.
He said such programmes could help graduates overcome the challenge of requiring work experience before securing meaningful employment.
He also urged youths to explore LEEP, which he said provided opportunities around employment, empowerment, digital skills and vocational training.
According to him, the changing nature of employment makes it necessary for young Nigerians to acquire skills that would enable them work beyond traditional office environments and participate in remote and international opportunities.
The APC national vice chairman further encouraged youths to take advantage of the 3MTT programme, which focuses on building Nigeria’s technical talent pipeline.
He said areas such as artificial intelligence, software development, data-related skills, cybersecurity and cloud computing offered opportunities for young Nigerians in the digital economy.
“The world is moving rapidly into an economy driven by technology, innovation and digital services.
“Our young people must not merely consume technology; they must learn to create, develop and export technology,” he said.
Arodiogbu also highlighted opportunities linked to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), particularly initiatives supporting creative and garment-sector entrepreneurs.
He said young designers, tailors, fashion entrepreneurs and other creatives could benefit from training and enterprise development support aimed at strengthening their participation in the creative economy.
According to him, the fashion and creative industries have significant potential for employment generation, wealth creation and international visibility for Nigerian talent.
While urging youths to take advantage of the opportunities, Arodiogbu cautioned prospective beneficiaries to obtain information from verified government channels to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
He said government programmes could only achieve their objectives when eligible citizens actively participated, urging youths to move beyond discussions on social media and seek verified information on available opportunities.
The APC chieftain said youths remained central to Nigeria’s future, stressing the need to position them to benefit from economic opportunities arising from the Federal Government’s reforms.
He said sustainable development required more than government employment, adding that young Nigerians needed skills, access to finance, entrepreneurship opportunities and links to productive markets.
“Our message to Nigerian youths is simple: do not wait for opportunities to come to your doorstep.
“Look for them, acquire the required skills, apply through legitimate channels and position yourself for success,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi