The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has called for an urgent increase in budgetary allocation, stating that the current N46 billion allocation falls short of achieving the ministry’s ambitious employment generation targets for 2025.
In a decisive move to address Nigeria’s mounting unemployment challenges, Dingyadi presented his case before both the House Committee and Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, emphasizing the critical need for enhanced funding to revitalize skills development centers nationwide.
“The current allocation simply cannot support our vision for sustainable employment generation,” Dingyadi declared during the 2025 Budget Defence meetings in Abuja. “We’re looking at a comprehensive overhaul of our skills development infrastructure, which requires substantial investment.”
The Minister’s appeal aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which positions job creation as a cornerstone of economic revival. Dingyadi highlighted a crucial distinction in employment strategies, noting that while infrastructure projects create immediate jobs, these positions are predominantly temporary and unskilled.
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“Over 60% of infrastructure-related employment opportunities are unsustainable,” the Minister explained. “Our focus must shift toward creating skilled positions that offer long-term career prospects and contribute to national economic growth.”
Senator Diket Plang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, voiced support for the Ministry’s request, acknowledging the need for increased funding to achieve its mandate effectively.
The initiative has gained additional backing from Hon. Adefarati Adegboyega, Chairman of the House Committee on Employment, who emphasized the superiority of sustainable employment programs over temporary relief measures.
“Palliatives offer momentary respite, but skill development creates lasting solutions,” Adegboyega stated. “We must invest in programs that equip our youth with practical skills for the modern job market.”
The Ministry’s proposed budget would facilitate the renovation and modernization of skills development centers across Nigeria, providing essential training and starter packs for graduates to establish self-sustaining businesses.
Industry experts suggest this approach could significantly impact Nigeria’s unemployment rate, currently one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. The focus on skills development aligns with global best practices in workforce development and economic growth strategies.
As budget discussions continue, the outcome of this funding request could determine the trajectory of Nigeria’s employment landscape for years to come, particularly affecting the nation’s youth population seeking sustainable career opportunities.
