Jobberman, a leading career development and recruitment platform in Nigeria, has launched a career and upskilling programme in Abia State aimed at bridging the skills gap among unemployed young Nigerians.

The training, held at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, attracted a large turnout of participants, mainly students and young people eager to acquire practical skills relevant to the job market.

In her welcome address, Anita Udeh, founder and Team Lead for the Jobberman project in Abia, said the initiative was designed to give young people a fair chance to compete globally by preparing them for the demands of the evolving labour market.

She explained that the programme focuses on equipping young Abians with practical and employable skills that will enable them to succeed both locally and internationally.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development in Abia State, Mr. Nwaobilor Ananaba, expressed concern over the low level of skill development among youths, noting that it contributes significantly to unemployment.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, Raymond Ukwa, Ananaba referenced a recent statement by the CEO of Moniepoint, revealing that over 500 job roles in the company remain unfilled due to a shortage of skilled personnel.

He commended Jobberman for the initiative, saying it would help position young people for employment opportunities locally and abroad through targeted upskilling.

The commissioner further highlighted the widening skills gap in Nigeria, noting that while universities produce over 900,000 graduates annually, only about 50,000 secure employment.

He said, “This highlights the urgent need for young people to develop relevant skills in order not to be left behind in the highly competitive global economy. About 53.2 percent of Nigerians are either unemployed or underemployed due to inadequate skills. It is important that we take cognisance of this reality and equip ourselves to be ready for opportunities when they come.”

He also noted that the administration of Governor Alex Otti has been working to revive moribund industries in the state, while questioning whether young people currently possess the required skills to take up available opportunities.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, said women should not be excluded from upskilling opportunities, stressing that both youths and women require empowerment through relevant training and education.

She was represented by the wife of the Mayor of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Mrs. Nnenna Nwaubani, who urged students and young people to take full advantage of the programme to prepare themselves for the changing job market.

Earlier, the Head of Youth Engagement and Learning at Jobberman, Innih Ikhide, explained that the organisation was founded in 2009 to address unemployment challenges in Nigeria.

He added that Jobberman, in partnership with Mastercard, is committed to equipping young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in the global economy.

According to him, participants will also be trained on CV writing, remote work skills, and access to global job opportunities.

The official flag-off of the programme was performed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Sports, who encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity.

Speaking on behalf of the students, the President of the Students’ Union Government of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nwogu Bright, commended Jobberman for providing a platform for students to acquire valuable employability skills.