The National Space Research and Development Agency and Grassroots Bridge Builders have called for stronger investment in technology-driven skills acquisition as a way to prepare Nigerian youths for future jobs and address rising unemployment and social vices.
The appeal was made recently at the official opening of the NASRDA/Grassroots Bridge Builders Skills Development Project held at the Women Development Centre in Abuja, which attracted a large turnout of young people seeking practical empowerment opportunities.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General and Chief Executive of Grassroots Bridge Builders, Engr. Ibrahim Moses Igoche, urged governments at all levels, the private sector and development partners to intensify support for skills acquisition initiatives, describing youth empowerment as a strategic pathway to economic stability and sustainable national development.
According to him, Nigeria’s growing youth population can only be transformed into a productive force through access to relevant, technology-enabled skills that align with the demands of a rapidly changing economy.
Igoche said the GBB empowerment platform had helped take many youths off the streets by engaging them in profitable ventures and equipping them with practical skills, adding that such programmes were effective in curbing drug abuse and other social vices.
“Skills acquisition remains one of the most powerful tools for changing negative narratives among vulnerable youths, while unlocking their hidden potential for national growth,” he said in a statement, urging young Nigerians to believe in the country and channel their energy into meaningful and productive activities.
He also commended government agencies and partners supporting the initiative, paying tribute to the Director-General and Chief Executive of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju, whom he described as a visionary leader committed to youth empowerment and national transformation.
In his remarks, Dr Adepoju said skills acquisition goes beyond job creation, describing it as a catalyst for innovation, dignity and holistic societal development. He was represented at the event by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr Felix Ale.
Dr Adepoju noted that equipping young people with relevant and practical skills positions them as active contributors to national development and drivers of innovation, particularly in science- and technology-related fields.
He stressed that skills development was central to NASRDA’s mandate, especially in harnessing space-based resources and science-driven solutions to address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. According to him, empowering youths with technology-focused skills aligns with the agency’s vision of sustainable national progress.
The NASRDA chief also praised the Grassroots Bridge Builders initiative for its commitment and patriotic outlook, assuring the organisers of the agency’s continued support for programmes that enable young Nigerians to maximise their potential and play meaningful roles in nation-building.
While applauding the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises empowerment, innovation and inclusive growth, Dr Adepoju reaffirmed NASRDA’s resolve to design and implement initiatives that align with these national objectives.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brigadier General Mohammed Marwa (rtd), urged youths to shun drug-related activities and embrace skills acquisition as a more sustainable pathway to personal and societal development.
Represented by the NDLEA Secretary, Barrister Shedrach Haruna, Marwa described skills acquisition programmes as effective platforms for redirecting youthful energy towards creativity, productivity and long-term economic relevance.
Participants at the event said the initiative underscored a growing consensus among public institutions and civil society groups that technology-driven skills development is critical to building a resilient, innovative and inclusive Nigerian economy.
