President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday announced that Nigeria will launch its first-ever National Industrial Manpower Development Policy, emphasising that the country’s true wealth lies in its people rather than its natural resources.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the President stressed the urgent need to close the gap between educational output and industry demands in order to unlock Nigeria’s economic potential.
“With a median age of about seventeen, Nigeria is an incredibly young country. This youthfulness is a gift, but it is also a responsibility. We must make our young people not just a demographic statistic but a central component of our policy-making process,” Tinubu said.
The President warned that failing to invest in the development of human capital would have “dire consequences” for the nation’s future. He outlined the policy as a strategic framework to align education, technical skills, and vocational training with the evolving needs of industries, ensuring Nigeria remains competitive in the global economy.
Themed “Manpower Development: The Bridge Between Potential and Productivity,” the summit brings together government officials, industry leaders, academics, and international partners to craft actionable recommendations for workforce development.
According to the Presidency, the new policy will focus on modernising curricula, expanding vocational training facilities, fostering public-private partnerships, and creating pathways for young Nigerians to enter high-growth sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy.
Tinubu’s administration has described the initiative as a “generational investment” aimed at turning Nigeria’s demographic advantage into a driver of sustained industrial growth and national prosperity.
Credit: @NGRPresident via X.
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