By Erewunmi Peace

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has revealed that 55% of Nigerian youth are underemployed or unemployed, attributing the alarming statistics to a widespread lack of technical and practical skills among young people.

Speaking at a public hearing organized by the House Committee on Polytechnic and Higher Technical Education, the Speaker emphasized the urgent need for government and private sector investment in vocational and technical training to tackle youth unemployment.

He noted that while Nigeria’s youth population continues to grow, most young people struggle to find meaningful employment due to inadequate exposure to hands-on skills and vocational education. “We cannot continue to produce graduates without equipping them with employable, real-world skills,” Abbas stated through his representative, Hon. Auwal Gwadabe.

Abbas stressed that polytechnics, technical colleges, and vocational institutes should be revitalized and prioritized in national education planning. He also urged policymakers to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical workplace demands.

This call comes amid rising concerns about youth restiveness, brain drain, and the mismatch between university degrees and market needs.

The Speaker’s remarks echo growing public demand for curriculum reform and more skill-based training opportunities across Nigeria.