THE Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said the newly commissioned NITDA Innovation Space will boost youth employment by equipping young Nigerians with digital skills and career development strategies.

Abdullahi stated this during the commissioning of the facility in Abuja, describing it as a hub designed to prepare youths for the evolving labour market.

He noted that millions of graduates enter the workforce annually into roles that did not exist decades ago, stressing the need for relevant skills and clear career planning.

“You need to have the skills that will help you succeed wherever you find yourself in life. And secondly, you need to have a good career plan,” he said.

The NITDA boss also urged young people to position themselves for opportunities by building visibility and competence. “If you stand out, you don’t have to ask for jobs,” he added.

He disclosed that the agency is partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to deploy a digital solution aimed at addressing challenges faced by corps members during their service year.

According to him, NITDA, which hosts about 700 corps members annually, provides a platform for young people to develop ideas into viable solutions and, in some cases, secure employment.

In his remarks, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, commended NITDA’s approach to youth development, describing it as impactful.

“The future of this country is here with these youths. At NITDA, they are not just accepting corps members; they are transforming them,” he said.

Nafiu also announced that with the digitalisation of the NYSC identity card system, corps members are now able to access their identification through digital platforms.

He expressed interest In a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) verification solution developed by corps members at NITDA, calling for collaboration to integrate it into NYSC operations nationwide.

The event also featured demonstrations of digital solutions developed under the agency’s Idea2Impact programme, showcasing efforts to turn ideas into practical applications. (Sunday Tribune)