NCDMB Urges Youths to Embrace Skills as 250 Graduate from Capacity-Building Programme in Lagos
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has called on Nigerian youths to take advantage of its various skills and capacity development programmes as a pathway to self-reliance in the face of Nigeria’s changing economic realities.
The appeal was made in Lagos by a Director in the Capacity Development Directorate of the NCDMB, Engr. Abayomi Bamidele, who was represented by Mr. John Barigha at the graduation ceremony of 250 youths who successfully completed a three-week high-impact skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training programme.
Delivering the keynote address, Engr. Bamidele stated that youth empowerment remains a central pillar of the NCDMB’s mandate and a top priority of its Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Ogbe. He explained that the board’s capacity-building initiatives are strategically designed to equip young Nigerians with practical, income-generating skills that can strengthen livelihoods and enhance economic resilience.
He urged the graduates to put the knowledge and skills gained during the programme into productive use, noting that skill acquisition has consistently proven to be a sustainable means of income for individuals and families. He further cautioned beneficiaries against selling their starter packs, stressing that evidence from similar programmes shows that participants who actively deploy their acquired skills often earn more than those in conventional white-collar jobs.
In his closing remarks, Bamidele revealed that the NCDMB is already accepting applications from another batch of youths, particularly those with engineering backgrounds aged 35 years and below, for specialised skills training. According to him, the initiative is targeted at equipping participants with competencies that will give them a competitive advantage in the oil and gas industry. He advised interested candidates to visit the NCDMB website for further information.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chief Executive Officer and Programme Coordinator of Jake Riley Academy, the training partner for the programme, Mrs. Funmi Ogbue, described the initiative as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s local content development agenda.
She said the programme recognises Nigerian youths as future nation-builders who must be adequately prepared to play their roles in national development. Ogbue disclosed that the 250 participants were selected through a rigorous and highly competitive process and trained in diverse areas including business development, digital marketing and social media strategy, financial literacy, solar panel installation, textile production, catering and food business, as well as corporate business models.
She also encouraged the graduates to uphold strong moral values and integrity as they pursue their entrepreneurial journeys, warning that knowledge without good character could limit personal and professional success.
Speaking after the ceremony, two beneficiaries of the programme, Adenike Arewulo and Chinemerem Amadi, expressed gratitude to the NCDMB for the opportunity. They said the training had provided them with practical skills and confidence to develop their business ideas and pursue self-reliant careers without depending solely on white-collar employment.
