Vivacity Development (VD) and Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF) have called for workforce Empowerment to meet the country’s 2030 development goals.
The Director of Programmes, SEF, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana, made the statement during a one-day program held yesterday in Abuja, with the theme: “Executive Consultation on the future of work initiative: Nigeria works”
She said that despite the improvement in the GDP rate, coupled with the reforms of the federal government, the microeconomic indicators have shown that the employment rate is between 4.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent, which calls for concern and improvement for the future workforce.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of VD, Eng. Oluwakemi Areola emphasised that stakeholders need to harness the country’s rich diversity and youthful population with deliberate steps to empower the workforce.
She said, “As we plan for the future, we must remain committed to the principles of sustainable development. Integrating the sustainable development goals (SDGS) into our workforce strategy is not just a moral obligation but a practical necessity to ensure equitable and environmental growth.”
For his part, the CEO of Global Strategic Business Alliance and keynote speaker, Dr. Iorwakwagh Apera, said that the labour force participation rate is low. However, the challenges of the high rate of unemployed youth leading to overdependence on the informal sector for sustainability need the attention of stakeholders to make an input into the workforce.
He further said that the future of work is the basis for national development as it provides demographic dividends for social-economic survival and growth of the people
“Our universities and higher institutions are the engine room for the production of the workforce. The strategy to institutionalise learning at the Universities is a game changer, it will ensure our graduates are not only coming out with degrees but with additional skills that will enhance job opportunities for the overall national productivity and growth.” He said.
