NCDMB, Jake Riley empower 250 youths with technical, digital skills

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has urged Nigerian youths to take full advantage of its skills and capacity development programmes nationwide to become self-reliant amid a rapidly changing economic environment.

The call was made by Abayomi Bamidele, director in the Capacity Development Directorate, NCDMB, at a graduation ceremony held in Lagos on Monday, January 26, 2026, for 250 young participants who completed a three-week high-selling, self-reliance skills training programme.

In his keynote address, Bamidele, who was represented at the event, said the programme exposed participants to diverse areas of skills acquisition and capacity building aimed at improving employability and entrepreneurship.

He noted that youth development remains a core mandate of the NCDMB and a key priority of the Board’s Executive Secretary, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, stressing that structured capacity building is central to Nigeria’s local content development agenda.

Bamidele encouraged the graduates to apply the knowledge gained from the training to improve their livelihoods, adding that skills acquisition has consistently proven to be a sustainable source of income for individuals and families.

He cautioned beneficiaries against selling off their starter packs, noting that studies have shown that individuals who effectively utilise skills acquired from such programmes can earn more over time than those in traditional white-collar employment.

According to him, the upcoming programme is designed to equip participants with specialised skills that will enhance their employability and competitiveness in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He advised interested applicants to visit the NCDMB website for details.

Meanwhile, Funmi Ogbue, ceo and programme coordinator of Jake Riley Academy, which executed the training on behalf of the NCDMB, described the initiative as a major milestone in Nigeria’s local content development efforts.

She said the programme recognises Nigerian youths as future builders of the economy who must be adequately equipped with practical and entrepreneurial skills to play that role effectively.

Ogbue explained that the 250 participants were selected through a rigorous and competitive process and trained in areas including business development, digital marketing and social media strategies, financial literacy, solar panel installation, textile production, catering and food business, as well as corporate business models.

She also advised the graduates to uphold strong moral values as they venture into the business world, warning that knowledge without ethics could hinder long-term growth and success.

Speaking after the ceremony, two beneficiaries, Adenike Arewulo and Chinemerem Amadi, expressed gratitude to the NCDMB for the opportunity, saying the training had equipped them with practical skills to pursue self-reliant careers.