Learn A Skill, Certificates Alone Are No Longer Enough — Youth Minister Tells Nigerian Youths

Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged Nigerian youths to focus on acquiring practical skills, stressing that academic certificates alone are no longer enough to succeed in today’s labour market.

Speaking at Channels Television’s Youth Forum 2026, Olawande said many students attend school simply to obtain degrees without developing the competencies needed to thrive in the workforce.

“One of the things I have always emphasised is skill development. Certificates alone may not be what is needed,” he said.

“You would discover that a lot of people going to school today are just going to school to become graduates. The skill gap should be addressed at the root of the matter.”

The minister also expressed concern over the high salary expectations of some graduates, linking the trend to poor career orientation and inadequate exposure to entrepreneurship and vocational training.

“I was watching before the programme started, and some youths were asked how much they would like to receive as a salary after graduation. I saw some say ₦1 million and another say ₦3 million,” he stated.

“When you ask them how they intend to earn that money, and they say through the civil service, then you understand why skill development is important.”

Olawande further identified access to education as a major challenge facing many young Nigerians and praised the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) for helping students remain in school.

“One of the major problems youths face in this country is access to education for those who genuinely want to be educated,” he said.

“NELFund is one initiative that has impacted Nigeria positively. No student should drop out of school again because he or she cannot afford to pay school fees.”

He also acknowledged the difficulties many youths face after graduation and NYSC but maintained that they have what it takes to drive national development.

“I strongly believe that Nigerian youths are not the problem. They have the spirit, and they have the solutions, provided they are engaged properly,” Olawande added.