The World Bank, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, announced on Monday its commitment to invest $10 million in equipping Nigerian youths with essential skills for employment. Dr. Mistura Rufai, the World Bank Education Specialist, shared this at a two-day workshop for Innovation Grant Facility grantees in Abuja.

The event was organized by the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS) project.

Rufai emphasized the need for empowering youth to bolster the country’s economic future, noting that the initiative aims to train over 50,000 youths across Nigeria.

Currently, 10,000 youths are undergoing training, with plans to expand this number significantly. The competitive selection process involves evaluating proposals from potential trainees and partnering with the private sector for effective implementation.

IDEAS National Project Coordinator, Blessing Ogwu, stressed the importance of the program in reducing unemployment by providing skill acquisition opportunities to out-of-school children. Prof. Ndem Ayara, the IGF Consultant, highlighted the project’s public-private partnership model, which includes substantial contributions from both sectors to ensure its success.