UNIDO tasks Buhari to breach industrial skills gap

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) has advised the Federal Government to fix the industrial skill gap in the country for sustainable development.

Dr. David Tommy

Dr David Tommy, Country Representative, said that the government should harness the potential of youths by investing in their training as they represented 44 per cent of the country’s population.

He said that most youths in Nigeria had the required qualifications, but lacked the relevant skills for sustaining development in Nigeria.

“It is essential to have these youths train as interns in factories to acquire the relevant skills.”

Tommy made the remark at the International Investment Conference organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

He stressed that change in mindset, paradigm shift from quick fixes, improved manufacturing sector would facilitate the required change vital for growth and value addition.

The UN scribe stressed the importance of utilising the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) blueprint for boosting performance of the manufacturing sector.

He said that the change mantra of the current administration should be approached holistically by comparing and copying results from other countries.

Tommy said that sustainable development of the country would be guaranteed by leveraging on value addition to agricultural endowments.

“If Nigeria makes it, ECOWAS makes it and Africa is pulled along.” (NAN)