Certificates alone not enough, youths must acquire skills – Minister

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has called on Nigerian youths to prioritise practical skill acquisition, stating that academic certificates are no longer sufficient to secure employment in today’s labour market.

Speaking on Friday at the Channels Television Youth Forum 2026, Olawande noted that many young people pursue university degrees merely for the sake of becoming graduates, without developing the hands-on competencies required by employers.

He warned that the widening skill gap among graduates needs to be addressed from the grassroots level. The minister also expressed concern over what he described as unrealistic salary expectations, citing instances where some graduates demanded as much as ₦3 million as monthly salary, yet admitted they hoped to earn such through civil service jobs.

Olawande commended the Federal Government’s Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for improving access to higher education, adding that no student should be forced to drop out due to inability to pay school fees.

He also acknowledged the adjustment difficulties many graduates face during the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) period, especially those transitioning from informal sectors.

Despite these challenges, Olawande expressed strong optimism about Nigerian youths, insisting that they possess the spirit and solutions needed for national development if properly engaged.