Chidinma Lawanson, Country Manager, Mastercard Foundation, has disclosed that the company is working to ensure that 30 million young Africans within the age of 15 to 35 get ‘dignifying and fulfilling work’ before 2030.
She disclosed this during the ongoing Lagos Economic Summit, Ehingbeti 2021.
Chidinma was one of the panelists on the session themed “21st Century Skills – Closing the Unemployment Gap for Next Generation of Leaders”
However, according to her, the regional target for Nigeria is 10 million.
She said that there will be special consideration for the underserved population including internally-displaced persons and those with disabilities.
Hilda Kabushenga, Managing Director, Jobberman Africa, also a panelist stressed the importance of up-skilling in filling the unemployment gap in Lagos and by extension, Nigeria as a whole.
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Making reference to a survey carried out by the World Bank, Hilda said that only 2 to 4% of secondary and tertiary school graduates can be employed without intervention.
While about 20% requires postgraduate to stand a chance to be employable, more than 70% of school graduates require intervention or in some cases are not even willing to work.
According to Hilda, some of the responsible factors for these shortcomings include lack of adequate training and lack of soft skills among others.
About Ehingbeti Economic Summit 2021
The annual Lagos State Economic Summit, popularly called EHINGBETI started in 2000.
The Summit began as an annual event.
Because of the importance attached to the Summit and its resolutions, it has changed from a yearly one to a biennial Summit to give the State Government some time to respond to commitments that she made.
However, the Summit was last held in 2014.
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The Summit itself has a rich history.
It is of even greater pleasure to note that it has been hosted continuously since the beginning of the millennium in the year 2000 and is now firmly established as a credible forum for stimulating economic growth in Lagos State.
The theme for the 2021 event is, “For a greater Lagos: Setting the Tone for the Next Decade.”
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