The Federal Government on Tuesday stated its determination to harness the energy and potential of Nigeria’s youth to drive economic transformation.
Speaking during his keynote address at the 2025 Employability Fair organised by Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the youth as Nigeria’s greatest asset and emphasised that government policies are increasingly tailored to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world needs.
“The Federal Government is not only committed to youth empowerment — we are determined to turn our teeming youth population into a productive force for national development.
“This generation of Nigerians must be equipped not just with degrees, but with the skills, mindset, and networks to become employers, innovators, and value creators,” Olawande declared.
He commended Caleb University for organising the Employability Fair, which he said aligns with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s focus on digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and job readiness.
“We are proud of institutions like Caleb University that are proactively responding to the unemployment crisis by building bridges between education and industry,” he said.
The fair, now in its second edition, brought together more than 100 top organisations from the banking, technology, manufacturing, education, and development sectors.
CEOs and HR professionals engaged with final-year students through mentorship sessions, on-the-spot interviews, CV reviews, and internship offers.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Prof Olalekan Asikhia, praised the minister’s youth-focused approach and expressed confidence in the ability of Nigerian youth to thrive globally.
“Our goal is to produce global citizens who are employable, entrepreneurial, and impactful.
“At Caleb University, we are building more than graduates — we are building future leaders who can thrive in any economy,” Asikhia said.
The VC also shared 10 workplace habits that drive success, urging students to cultivate resilience, empathy, time management, a growth mindset, and digital skills.
He stressed the importance of consistent routines, value creation, and precise task prioritisation.
“You can only impact others to the extent you have been personally impacted,” he said.
The Metro Editor for PUNCH Nigeria Ltd, Mr Joel Nwokeoma, representing the Managing Director, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, urged students to focus on the value they can offer prospective employers, rather than relying solely on academic qualifications.
“Your certificate does not give you a job. What gives you a job is the value you bring to the workplace,” he said, citing examples of National Youth Service Corps members whose outstanding contributions earned them employment offers.
Nwokeoma emphasised that no one offers a job out of sentiment.
“Nobody gives you a job because he loves you. You must build your value and essence and make sure that the name of Caleb University is founded in you,” he said.
He also outlined the core values that drive excellence in media organisations like PUNCH, including truth, reliability, independence, balance, and excellence, urging students to adopt these principles in any industry they find themselves.
The fair featured masterclasses, aptitude testing sessions, and panel discussions on emerging career paths. Many students described the experience as transformative, citing the exposure to real-world expectations and opportunities.
