Abia Govt Partners Jobberman, Mastercard Foundation to Boost Youth Employability

The administration of Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has intensified efforts to tackle youth unemployment and prepare young people for the future of work through a strategic partnership with Jobberman and the Mastercard Foundation.

The initiative, flagged off on Wednesday at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, is part of ongoing efforts under the administration of Gov. Alex Otti, to reposition youths for opportunities in the evolving global economy.

The partnership formally launched the Career Building and Entrepreneurship Training Programme for youths in Abia State.

The programme, supported by the Mastercard Foundation under the Young Africa Works initiative and implemented in collaboration with the Youth Development Initiative (YDI), focuses on workplace readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership and digital-era employability skills.

Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Youth and Sports Development, Raymond Ukwa, officially flagged off the programme on behalf of the state government.

He urged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the initiative.

“This programme is designed to prepare young people for opportunities in the changing global landscape. Use this opportunity to ask questions, build networks and position yourselves for the future,” he said.

Nwaobilor expressed confidence that the programme would significantly improve employment opportunities for young people in the state.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. (Mrs) Maureen Ijeoma Aghukwa represented by wife of the Mayor of Umuahia North, Mrs Joy Iheoma, commended the organisers and called for greater inclusion of women in subsequent training sessions.

“Our women should also be fully accommodated because they form part of the unemployment statistics in the state,” she said.

Speaking during the launch, Abia State Team Lead for Jobberman, Anita Udeh described the project as a direct response to the growing concerns surrounding unemployment and employability among Nigerian youths.

“Today is not just another project launch; it is a response to one of the biggest conversations happening in Nigeria right now about youth unemployment, employability and the future of our young people,” she said.

According to her, the programme, supported under the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative and implemented in collaboration with the Youth Development Initiative (YDI), is focused on workplace readiness, entrepreneurship, leadership development and practical career skills.

“The question is not whether Nigerian youths are talented; we know they are. The real question is whether we are intentionally preparing them for opportunities in today’s world.

“We believe our institutions should not only produce graduates, but prepared graduates,” she added.

She noted that the initiative prioritises inclusion, with a target of 80 per cent female participation while also creating opportunities for persons living with disabilities.

Head of Youth Engagement & Learning at Jobberman Nigeria, Mr. Innih Ikhide, said the organisation was established in 2009 to address unemployment by connecting qualified job seekers with employers through technology-driven solutions.

“Jobberman was founded to solve the unemployment crisis. At a time when people depended on newspapers and notice boards for vacancies, young innovators came together to create a platform that democratised access to jobs,” he explained.

Ikhide disclosed that the organisation has expanded its operations across several African countries, including Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, while scaling up its employability programme to about 20 states in Nigeria through its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

“Our vision has always been clear, to ensure every young man and woman has access to training and dignified work opportunities,” he said.

He warned that Nigeria faces a critical workforce challenge if young people are not adequately prepared for the future of work.

“By 2030, we may either become the largest workforce in Africa or the largest criminal force in Africa,” Ikhide cautioned.

He further explained that the initiative would provide participants with access to career clinics, webinars, CV writing sessions, interview preparation, mentorship opportunities and exposure to remote and international job opportunities.

Lead facilitator of the training, Mrs Adaeze Favour, explained that the programme focused heavily on soft skills such as emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking and time management.

“Hard skills may get you into the room, but soft skills are what keep you there,” she stated.

Adaeze said the training covered key areas such as communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork, leadership, time management, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration and self-awareness.

“Today’s workplace requires more than academic qualifications. Young people must learn how to communicate effectively, solve problems and work with others.

“Learning should not stop here. Participants can continue engaging with Jobberman through our digital platforms, mentorship opportunities and career development programmes,” she said.

President of the Students’ Union Government of the university, Nwogu Bright Chinonyerem, said students were already benefiting from the initiative through practical career guidance and employability training.

“I believe students are benefiting a lot from the training, especially in areas like CV writing and employability preparation,” he said.

A 300-level Computer Science student, Matthew Josiah, said the programme helped him understand the importance of time management and prioritisation.

“I learnt that prioritising my goals and managing my time properly can make me better at what I do,” he said.

Another participant, Echefita Richard, noted that the training boosted her confidence and improved her communication skills.

“I learnt that effective communication can improve productivity and help grow my business,” she said.

The event also featured practical employability assessments and soft-skills sessions for participants, alongside presentations on communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, workplace ethics and issuance of certificate of participation.

The programme is expected to continue across Abia State as part of broader efforts to improve youth employability, reduce unemployment and prepare young Nigerians for emerging opportunities in the global labour market.