Five organisations have announced a collaboration under the Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria in commemoration of the 2021 International Youth Day.
According to a statement by the coalition, which consists of Nestle Nigeria, Jobberman Nigeria, Sterling One Foundation, Big Bottling Company and the United Nation Global Impact, the alliance will pull together resources to help youths across Nigeria access skills to thrive in the present job climate and the future of work.
“The alliance plans to reach more than 250,000 young Nigerians with employability and entrepreneurial skills to enable them get gainful employment or set up businesses of their own within the next three years,” it said.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, was quoted as saying, “We are excited to announce the Global Alliance for Youth Nigeria today. If there was a time where an alliance for youth is needed, it is today.
“Yes, our youth are confronted with multiple challenges, but the critical challenge is that of a lack of opportunities. The alliance seeks to create opportunities for our youth to attain their highest potential as productive and contributive members of society.”
The Chief Executive Officer, Jobberman Nigeria, Rolake Rosiji, said through the alliance, youths would gain access to high-quality training, and be able to gain the critical skills needed to swiftly enter the workforce, as well as grow in their respective fields.
The Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, Naomi Nwokolo, said, “It is no longer fashionable to ignore the youth; never has it been. The time is now for all stakeholders to pivot toward harnessing the powers and potentials of the youth demographic.
“Our participation in the Global Alliance for Youth states our intent to engage with the private sector to further entrench the corporate sustainability agenda particularly in the areas of Women and Youth inclusion, Sustainable Innovation, Decent Work and Economic Growth.”