Stakeholders in Nigeria’s education, industry, and agricultural sectors have gathered in Abuja to intensify efforts to bridge the widening skills gap in the country’s agro-processing sector.
The move came at a Labour Market Workshop on skills gap analysis held under the BEAR III Project.
The workshop features sessions on skills gap survey methodologies, pilot exercises, and collaborative discussions aimed at generating actionable insights for policy and curriculum development.
In his opening remarks, the UNESCO Head of Office in Abuja, Dr. Jean-Paul Ngome-Abyaga highlighted the urgent need to align skills development with labour market demands in an increasingly global economy and technology-driven world.
Dr Abyaga stressed that while Nigerian youths possess immense potential, “the challenge lies in equipping them with relevant, market-oriented skills.”
“Skills are the bridge between potential and opportunity. Young Nigerians have energy, ambition, and talent, but only relevant, market-oriented skills will enable them to thrive in today’s fast-changing, technology-driven world. We are all united by the shared goal of strengthening Nigeria’s agro-processing skills ecosystem. Your presence here reflects the collaborative spirit required to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes,” he said
Dr. Ngome-Abyaga, represented by the Head of Cultural Sector, Ifeanyi Ajegbo, said that a disconnect still exists between classroom learning and industry needs, describing it as a critical issue the workshop seeks to address.
“There is a huge gap between what is taught in classrooms and what is required in the labour market, by identifying these gaps, we can design responsive training programmes and strengthen the link between education and employment, Dr Ngome-Abyaga said
The UNESCO Head of Office further underscored the importance of stakeholder contributions, highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable results.
He said; “What you do here matters. “The insights you provide will shape training, policy, and practice in agro-processing, ensuring that our TVET programmes are future-ready and aligned with industry needs. The collaborations you build here will strengthen ties between institutions, government, and the private sector—partnerships that are vital for a thriving skills ecosystem.”
“What you do here matters. The insights you contribute will shape training, policy, and practice, ensuring that our systems are ready not just for today, but for the future”, he added.
Also speaking, a Representative from the Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET), Dr. Cho Sungik, described the programme as a “mutual learning process.”
“This is not a unilateral effort, We are learning together with Nigerian stakeholders to build capacity and develop effective tools for understanding labour market demands.The ongoing collaboration has already produced key milestones, including the design of a nationwide skills gap survey set to be launched in the coming weeks. The survey will assess industry needs, identify critical skill shortages, and inform policy and curriculum development,” he noted
The Director, Technology and Science Education Department, Nigeria’s Ministry of Education, Mrs. Patricia Ogungbemi represented by the Deputy Director of the Department, Mrs. Christiana Obaje highlighted the strategic importance of the agro-processing sector to Nigeria’s economy and food security.
“Technology is only as powerful as the hands that operate it,. We cannot train in a vacuum. The skills taught in our institutions must match the realities of factory floors and processing plants,” Obaje said .
She described the labour market analysis as “a strategic compass,” pointing to emerging trends such as automation, smart packaging, and sustainable waste management as areas requiring urgent attention.
On his part, the Commissioner Kano State Ministry of Education, who was represented by Ibrahim Ahmad Ado reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to technical and vocational education.
“Work-Based Learning is a critical pathway for bridging the gap between theory and practice. We are determined to align our education systems with labour market demands and equip our youth with employable skills”, he said.
The Chairman of the Sector Skills Council for Agriculture, Mr. Onalo Akpa, underscored the importance of stakeholder participation in the process.
“This is not just a gathering of academics, it is a gathering of stakeholders with a responsibility. We must understand the skills gaps and work collectively to bridge them for national development,” Mr Akpa stressed.
The three-day workshop features technical sessions, pilot testing of survey tools, and hands-on data analysis exercises designed to strengthen participants’ capacity in labour market analysis.
Participants expressed optimism that the initiative would deliver actionable outcomes capable of transforming Nigeria’s agro-processing sector and creating employment opportunities for millions.
The two-day workshop, organised by UNESCO and supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea, brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, TVET practitioners, and private sector leaders, all united by a shared goal of strengthening Nigeria’s agro-processing skills ecosystem.