Business

FG Begins Survey To Bridge Skills, Job Creation Gap

Published

11 years ago

November 19, 2014

The Federal Government has said it had begun a national survey to determine the skill gaps in different sectors of the economy.
The Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, said this while briefing State House correspondents after the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Job Board presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja on Friday.
The board was inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on September 10 to create 3 million jobs in one year.
Aganga said that the outcome of the survey would give the board a clear idea of the gaps that exist, where they exist and what is required to fill them
“The level of unemployment is high and the gap between jobs and unemployment is skills.
“So that is a critical factor and that is why there is a pillar dedicated to that.
“And that is why for the first time in this country we have begun a national job survey of skills gap in the country.
“By sector we will know what the gap is, know the competency required to fill that gap.
“We are not just looking at the existing gaps today. We are looking at where the investments are going to. We are looking at the next five to 10 years.
“For instance, a lot of investments are going to automobile, we have automobile engineers, how many will we need in the next five to 10 years.
“About N16 billion is going to petrochemicals, fertiliser and methanol. We will need skilled players. A lot of investments are going to metals, iron ore and all that.
“Most of these positions at the moment in this country are not filled and if they are filled they are filled by foreigners.
The minister explained that the survey would be used by training institutions like the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to ensure that people are trained to work immediately.
Aganga said that the inaugural meeting looked at how to put the right governance structure in place to ensure sustainability of the job creation and guard against policy reversal.
According to him, the sectorial leaders in the board have started submitting all major projects in sectors like Information Communication Technology (ICT), housing, micro and medium enterprises among others.
Also speaking, Mr Tony Elumelu, who represents the private sector in the board, said that job creation was very important to both federal government and the private sector.
This, according to him, explains why members of the board are committed to their assignment.
“Job creation is very important to this government; it’s very important to the private sector, which is why we are all committed to it.
“That is why as the Minister of Trade and Investment has said, we are having another meeting in two or three weeks’ time.
“We will not be sacrificing or devoting this more time to a project that we did not believe in. We believe in dignity of labour.
“We think that Nigerians deserve to be employed and we are happy that we are working with the Federal Government in making sure that this comes through.
“We believe that we will deliver on this and Nigerians will be happy for it at the end of the day.’’
In his contribution, Mr Ike Ubaka, the National President (Administration) of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), commended the federal government for including farmers in the board.
Ubaka said that it was the first time in the country’s history that they were being involved in a major policy implementation, given the significance of farming to job creation.

Business

Fidelity Bank To Empower Women With Sustainable Entrepreneurship Skills, HAP2.0

Published

22 hours ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has announced the launch of the second edition of its flagship women-empowerment initiative, the HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 (HAP 2.0).

According to the report, the programme is designed to equip women with practical, income?generating skills and structured pathways to entrepreneurship.

Accordingly, the HAP 2.0 will build on the success of its inaugural edition held in 2023.

During media chat with journalists to herald the launch of HAP 2.0, the Divisional Head, Product Development, Fidelity Bank Plc, Osita Ede, explained that the initiative has been enhanced to deliver greater impact.

He said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 reflects their commitment to continuous improvement, having evaluated feedback from the first edition, they have returned with stronger partnerships and deeper mentorship programmes to ensure that women acquire not just skills, but sustainable economic opportunities.

Mr Ede, who said the programme is guided with real?world learning, also said that participants will undergo intensive apprenticeship training under reputable institutions and industry experts across selected fields such as hair styling, shoe making, auto mechatronics, and interior decoration.

Additionally, he said HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme 2.0 goes beyond skills acquisition by offering participants a wide range of business advisory services.

These include business and financial literacy training, mentorship support throughout the apprenticeship journey, access to Fidelity Bank’s women?focused and SME financial solutions, as well as guidance on business formalisation and growth strategies.

Emphasizing the bank’s vision further, Ede said: “By integrating structured mentorship with entrepreneurial development, Fidelity Bank is positioning women not just as trainees, but as future employers, innovators, and economic contributors within their communities.

This aligns with our mandate to help individuals grow, businesses thrive, and economies prosper”.

It is noteworthy that interested participants are encouraged to indicate their interest by visiting https://bit.ly/Apprenticeshipbyherfidelity.

It is important to note that Fidelity Bank Plc is ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, with a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, with 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

It is reported that the Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.

By: Nkpemenyie mcdominic, Lagos

Business

President Tinubu Approves Extension Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export

Published

22 hours ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on (Information and Strategy) who disclosed this on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 stressed the Federal Government remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive participant in global agricultural value chains.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

To further these objectives, President Tinubu has authorised the two Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

The President directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Business

Crisis Response: EU-project Delivers New Vet. Clinic To Katsina Govt.

Published

23 hours ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

A Non – Governmental Organisation (NGO), Mercy Corps, has handed over a newly constructed Veterinary Clinic and a rehabilitated structure in Danmusa Local Government Area (LGA), to the Katsina State Government.

The project, which included a 20,000-litre capacity upgraded solar-powered borehole, was executed under the European Union-funded Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience (CPCRR) project.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).

Speaking during the handover ceremony, Wednesday, the Commissioner for Livestock and Animal Husbandry in Kastina State, Prof Ahmed Bakori, commended Mercy Corps and its partners on such commitment to support peace and development in the state.

While praising the state government for restoring peace and stability, the said project would improve livestock services and the welfare of farmers who depend on animal health services for livelihood.

Bakori buttressed that improved security in the state had enabled development partners to implement meaningful interventions in communities affected earlier.

He said, “Recently, Gov. Dikko Radda was in South Africa to explore strategies for boosting livestock production and strengthening the livestock value chain in line with the government’s economic development agenda.”

In his remarks, Mercy Corps Senior Programme Manager, Mr Philip Ikita, expressed satisfaction on the timely and successful implementation of the project in Danmusa.

He stated that although Mercy Corps began its operations in the state in 2023, security challenges, had initially prevented the organisation from accessing some areas, including Danmusa.

Ikita said that the project would improve access to essential services, strengthen livelihoods and contribute to sustaining peace in the community.

“The project involves the upgrade of a veterinary clinic from a two room structure into a fully functional six office facility, embarked on to strengthen livestock healthcare services in the area.

“The programme builds on the success of the Conflict Mitigation and Community Reconciliation (CMCR) project and seeks to promote long-term peace and stability in Northwest Nigeria.

“It works across 48 communities in Zamfara and Katsina States, addressing the root causes of conflict, enhancing community resilience, and strengthening socio-economic recovery,” he said.

Also, the District Head of Danmusa, Ahmadu Abubakar, expressed appreciation to Mercy Corps and its partners for the intervention, describing the projects as timely and beneficial.

Earlier, the Chairman of Danmusa LGA, Ibrahim Na-Mama, represented by his Deputy, Musa Muhammad, expressed appreciation for the projects, assuring that the council would support efforts to safeguard them.