Nigeria’s National Directorate of Employment Launches Five-Year Job Creation Plan

The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has announced a five-year plan aimed at increasing job creation and updating its training facilities across Nigeria. This plan, which will run from 2027 to 2031, focuses on improving employment services and aligning vocational training with the needs of industries.

During the announcement in Abuja, NDE Director-General Silas Agara emphasized that this strategy is not just a policy document but a roadmap for the agency to better meet the changing needs of the job market. The plan aims to guide the agency’s departments and state offices in offering skills development, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering partnerships.

Agara noted that many of the NDE’s 87 Skills Training Centres require significant upgrades to meet current training standards. He committed to modernizing these facilities and ensuring that training programs align with industry demands. However, he acknowledged that achieving these goals will need ongoing support from the Federal Government, private sector, and development partners.

The plan also includes strengthening collaboration with employers and improving data-driven decision-making to help job seekers find work and start businesses. Agara highlighted that the changing nature of work, influenced by technology and new industries, must be considered in employment strategies.

Vanessa Phala, Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for Nigeria and surrounding countries, praised the plan for its focus on modern employment services and labor-market information. She stated that these improvements could better connect job seekers with employers and available opportunities.

Phala described the plan as timely, given the rapid changes in Nigeria’s labor market. She also mentioned that the ILO supported the development of this plan through a project aimed at enhancing employment and employability systems in Nigeria.