FAITH-BASED GROUP MOVES TO BRIDGE SKILLS GAP

A prominent faith-based organisation has launched a major initiative aimed at addressing Nigeria’s widening skills gap through targeted vocational training and entrepreneurship programmes for youths and women.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) on Friday unveiled the “Skills for Destiny” project, a comprehensive capacity-building programme designed to equip thousands of young Nigerians with in-demand technical and soft skills. The initiative will focus on areas such as digital literacy, renewable energy technology, agribusiness, fashion design, and coding.

RCCG General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who was represented at the launch, described the programme as part of the church’s contribution to national development. “We cannot fold our arms while our youths roam the streets without marketable skills. This project is our way of empowering the next generation to become job creators rather than job seekers,” he said.

The programme will be implemented across RCCG provinces nationwide, with state-of-the-art training centres equipped with modern tools and experienced instructors. Partnerships with leading technical institutions, private sector players, and government agencies will ensure the curriculum remains relevant to current industry needs.

Beneficiaries will receive certification upon completion, with opportunities for internships, seed capital for startups, and mentorship from successful entrepreneurs. Special emphasis has been placed on women and persons with disabilities to promote inclusivity.

The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, commended the church for the timely intervention. “Faith-based organisations have a critical role to play in youth empowerment. This initiative aligns with government efforts to reduce unemployment and build a skilled workforce,” he noted.

Stakeholders believe the project could significantly reduce youth unemployment and contribute to economic growth if scaled across other religious bodies. The first batch of trainees is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with plans to train over 50,000 participants in the first year.

As Nigeria grapples with high unemployment and skills mismatch, initiatives like “Skills for Destiny” are seen as vital to harnessing the demographic dividend and fostering sustainable development.