The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its ICT Academy in Abuja, describing the milestone as a significant step towards strengthening youth employability and preparing the country for the future of work.
The ceremony brought together government officials, private-sector leaders and development partners, all united in what organisers described as a shared commitment to equipping young Nigerians with digital competencies.
Speaking at the event, NECA’s Director-General, Mr. Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the academy was established to bridge Nigeria’s widening digital skills gap and empower young people with practical tools for economic advancement. He noted that building a digitally ready workforce was essential to Nigeria’s ambition for global competitiveness.
“As Nigeria continues to position itself for global competitiveness, the ICT Academy championed by NECA stands as a beacon of opportunity—bridging gaps, raising aspirations, and empowering the next generation of tech-driven talents,” Mr. Oyerindesaid.
Representing the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, a government delegate commended NECA’s “visionary role” in improving youth skills and pledged the state’s readiness to deepen collaboration on expanding digital and vocational training opportunities. Gov. Sule, in his message, described scalable ICT training as essential for Nigeria’s rapidly evolving labour market.
“For the graduates, this moment marks the beginning of a new chapter,” he said, noting that the trainees—who studied digital literacy, ICT essentials and employability skills—were now positioned to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Dignitaries in attendance included Mr. RimamskebNuhu, Special Assistant to the President in the Office of the Vice President (Strategy & Policy – Workforce Development); and Dr. Chinedu Nnabuihe, Managing Director of ProHealth and Chairman of NECA’s Northern Geographical Zone, who served as Special Guest of Honour.
The ICT Academy is part of NECA’s broader agenda to build a digitally competent workforce, expand pathways to decent jobs, support entrepreneurship and contribute to national development.
