As the world marks World Youth Skills Day 2025 today, July 15, attention turns once again to the pressing need to equip young people with the right tools to access an increasingly complex and digital world.
This year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” offers both a timely reflection and a challenge to reimagine how we prepare the next generation for the future of work.
Now in its 10th year, World Youth Skills Day was first observed on July 15, 2015, following its establishment by the United Nations in 2014. Over the past decade, it has served as a global platform to advocate for skills development as a key driver of youth employment, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning.
How it is going
The rise of artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies is transforming industries across the globe and the workplace is evolving rapidly. However, the pace of this transformation is leaving many young people behind. According to United Nations data, more than 450 million youths worldwide, roughly seven out of ten are economically disengaged due to a lack of relevant skills.
In Nigeria, the challenges are even more severe. The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has voiced concern over the rising levels of youth unemployment and underemployment. Speaking at a press briefing in Osogbo on Monday, the Director of Employment and Job Creation at NYCN, Enoch Ogunsanya, noted that many young Nigerians are eager to contribute to the economy but are hindered by limited access to digital training, funding, and job opportunities.
“Many of our young people are willing to work, to learn, and to contribute meaningfully to the economy,” Ogunsanya said. “But they lack access to training, funding, information, and support systems.”
In addition to limited access to formal employment, over 42 percent of Nigerian youth struggle to secure the capital needed to start their own businesses. This lack of support for young entrepreneurs continues to hinder innovation and economic growth across the country.
World Youth Skills Day is not only a moment for reflection but also a platform to promote concrete actions that can empower young people to become change-makers in their communities. As policymakers, educators, and development partners consider how to build more inclusive systems, here are five effective strategies to support youth skills development:
First, digital platforms can be leveraged to reach a wider audience. Using social media hashtags such as #WorldYouthSkillsDay and #YouthLead, stakeholders can highlight opportunities, success stories, and ongoing initiatives. International surveys and global conversations on AI and digital transformation also give young people a chance to contribute to global dialogues.
Second, practical skill-building workshops on subjects like artificial intelligence, coding, digital marketing, graphic design, and carpentry offer hands-on learning opportunities. These workshops can bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world demands.
Third, organizing skills competitions and job fairs can connect young people with employers, helping them to showcase their talents and network with industry leaders.
Fourth, community-based awareness events such as panel discussions, debates, and cultural forums can help normalize conversations around digital skills and youth empowerment, fostering an environment where innovation and curiosity are encouraged.
Finally, youth-focused entrepreneurship programs are essential. Initiatives that offer training in business planning, financial literacy, and creative thinking can help young people develop their own enterprises and generate employment for others.
With the right skills, today’s youth can lead the charge in building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient future. Yes.
