The wife of the Anambra State Governor and Founder, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has called for greater investment in youth skills development, describing it as a critical pathway to sustainable economic growth, innovation and national development.
In a statement to commemorate the 2026 World Youth Skills Day, themed “Skills for a Shared Future,” Dr. Soludo said the global observance underscores the need to equip young people with the technical, digital and entrepreneurial competencies required to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven and interconnected world.
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She noted that the greatest investment any society can make is in the skills, creativity and potential of its young people, stressing that equipping youths with relevant knowledge and practical abilities empowers them to become job creators, problem solvers and agents of positive change within their communities.
“As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day today, let us remind ourselves that the greatest investment we can make is in the skills, creativity and potential of our young people. When youths are well equipped with the right knowledge and practical abilities, they become job creators, problem solvers and agents of positive change in their communities,” she said.
Dr. Soludo reaffirmed her commitment to promoting healthy living, quality education, innovation and entrepreneurship, urging young people to embrace lifelong learning in an increasingly competitive global economy.
“As we continue to promote healthy living, education, innovation and entrepreneurship, I encourage every young person to embrace lifelong learning and never stop acquiring new skills. Every skill mastered today is a step towards a more confident, productive and prosperous tomorrow,” she added.
She further encouraged young people across Anambra State and Nigeria to remain committed to self-development, stressing that talent, when combined with discipline, innovation and continuous learning, has the capacity to transform lives, communities and the nation.
“To our young people across Anambra State and beyond, keep learning, keep creating and keep believing in yourselves. Your talents are your greatest assets, and the future belongs to those who prepare for it,” she said.
Dr. Soludo also emphasised that expanding access to vocational education, digital literacy, agribusiness, technology and entrepreneurship would strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity, reduce unemployment and enhance economic resilience. According to her, investing in young people would not only improve livelihoods but also position Nigeria to compete more effectively in the global knowledge economy.
She called on governments, the private sector, development partners and educational institutions to strengthen collaboration in expanding access to quality skills acquisition programmes, innovation hubs and mentorship opportunities. She said such partnerships are essential to unlocking the full potential of Nigeria’s youthful population and fostering inclusive economic growth.
The Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo founder further noted that empowering young people with market-relevant skills would help reduce poverty, curb irregular migration and stimulate the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, which remain key drivers of employment and economic development across the country.
She reaffirmed that building a healthy, skilled and productive youth population is fundamental to achieving long-term national prosperity, urging all stakeholders to prioritise policies and investments that create opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive, innovate and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic transformation and sustainable development.
