A senior officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service has warned that Nigeria’s growing unemployment, insecurity and irregular migration could worsen if young people are not equipped with practical, marketable skills.
Speaking in Minna, the Deputy Comptroller of Immigration Service, Barrister Danlamin Audi, said empowering youths with vocational and entrepreneurial skills was critical to national development, security and long-term prosperity. He stressed that relying solely on formal education is no longer sufficient in a fast-changing economy where many graduates struggle to secure jobs.
Audi urged parents to take greater responsibility for identifying and nurturing their children’s talents, noting that families who invest in skills development not only improve their own prospects but also contribute to national economic stability and productivity.
According to him, skills in areas such as technology, agriculture, craftsmanship, fashion and digital services now play a vital role in promoting self-reliance and innovation. He said young people trained in these fields are better positioned to create jobs for themselves and even employ others.
While commending federal government initiatives on youth empowerment, job creation and entrepreneurship, Audi said their success largely depends on how prepared young people are to take advantage of such opportunities. He added that government programmes cannot deliver results in isolation without the active involvement of parents and communities.
The immigration officer encouraged parents to identify their children’s strengths early and guide them towards relevant training programmes, apprenticeships and mentorship schemes aligned with those abilities. He said early intervention would help curb social vices linked to joblessness and frustration among youths.
Audi also called on parents and guardians to complement government efforts by proactively equipping their children with relevant skills, describing youth development as a shared responsibility for sustainable growth. He appealed to community leaders, religious institutions and education stakeholders to collaborate in promoting creativity, discipline and a strong work ethic among young Nigerians.
