Organized by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Tech4Dev, Semicolon Africa, and Avaara Partners, the high-level gathering convened policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, and innovators to showcase Nigeria’s bold steps in linking education, skills, and employment for sustainable growth.

In her opening remarks, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, emphasized the government’s determination to deliver systemic workforce reform.

“The future of work demands bold action. Our ministry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is investing in systems that prepare young Nigerians for the jobs of tomorrow, building bridges between skills providers, employers, and industries to ensure that no talent is left behind,” she stated.

Delivering the keynote, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, minister of Education, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to aligning education with labour market realities.

“Our vision is to ensure that every Nigerian learner is not only acquiring knowledge but also future-ready skills that unlock decent work opportunities. By strengthening the connection between classrooms and careers, we are laying the foundation for inclusive growth and national prosperity,” he said.

The first high-level panel explored policy reforms, digital infrastructure, and opportunities in the creative and green economy.

Key contributors included Mr. Rimamskeb Nuhu, special assistant to the Vice President on Strategy and Policy; Moriam Ajaga, special adviser to the President on Art & Culture; Barr. Ismaeel Ahmed, executive chairman, Presidential CNG Initiative; Olumbe Akinkugbe, executive director, Galaxy Backbone, and Sam Immanuel, CEO, Semicolon Africa.

A second panel examined skill-to-job linkages with insights from Rosy Fynn, country director, Mastercard Foundation Nigeria; Victoria Strokova, program manager, Partnership for Economic Inclusion at HSPGE; Oladiwura Oladepo, executive director, Tech4Dev, and Sanyade Okoli, special adviser to the President on Finance and the Economy.

Mrs. Okoli stressed that reforms must translate into livelihoods:

“Finance must show up on payslips, not just in statistics. That is why we are linking innovation, credit, and social protection directly to employment outcomes, so that every investment fuels opportunities for young Nigerians.”

The event concluded with an interactive dialogue featuring youth voices, development partners, and private sector leaders. Discussions reinforced Nigeria’s commitment to closing the training-to-employment gap, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and advancing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

By aligning education, skills development, and labour policies, Nigeria is not only positioning its youth for the jobs of tomorrow but also cementing its influence in shaping the global future of work.

Leaders and stakeholders gathered at the “Strengthening Workforce Systems for Economic Growth” event, hosted in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, NIMC, Tech4Dev, and global development partners.

A cross-section of distinguished women leaders and development practitioners driving conversations on building resilient workforce systems and creating inclusive pathways to jobs.

Government officials, private sector leaders, and international partners joined forces to reaffirm commitments to advancing workforce development, fostering collaboration, and positioning Nigeria’s labour force for global competitiveness

Against the backdrop of unprecedented demographic growth, transformative technological shifts, and Africa’s expanding role in global markets, Allison Worldwide; Black House Media (BHM), Africa’s leading public relations firm andThe King’s Trust is co-hosting the second edition of the exclusive Africa Breakfast Conversations on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in New York City.

Scheduled for Friday, 26 September 2025 at the World Trade Center, this high-level invite-only exclusive event will bring together heads of business, policymakers, innovators, philanthropists, and cultural leaders from across Africa and the diaspora.

The event will explore how African-led innovation, strategic partnerships, and inclusive growth strategies can accelerate progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

With the theme,  African Innovation: Building Together for Sustainable Development,  the event will feature panel discussions, thought-provoking keynote addresses, and high-impact networking sessions spotlighting the many dimensions of Africa’s growth story  – from big business and breakthrough technologies to the creative economy, pop culture, soft power, and geopolitics.

“Africa’s innovation story is no longer emerging, it’s here. This gathering at UNGA 80 is about moving from conversation to collaboration, ensuring that Africa’s youthful energy, creativity, and expertise are met with the resources and partnerships to build sustainable futures.” – Claudine Moore, managing director, Africa at Allison.

Following a successful inaugural edition, the second edition, in partnership with The King’s Trust, will also underscore the pivotal role of youth empowerment, skills development, and leadership opportunities in driving sustainable progress.

Bringing together African and diaspora leaders, innovators, and changemakers, the gathering will showcase expertise, innovation, and African-led solutions at the heart of global conversations.

“This is more than an event; it’s a platform for action. The Africa Breakfast Conversations harness the power of dialogue to create connections that lead to investment, innovation, and impact, bridging Africa and the global economy in meaningful ways ”- Ayeni Adekunle, founder of BHM. 

“We believe in the boundless potential of Africa’s young people. By working together to help young people gain skills and work experience, we can empower the next generation to find meaningful work and set up their own businesses, which will shape Africa’s – and the world’s – future.” – Will Straw, CEO, King’s Trust International.

The Africa Breakfast Conversations align with UNGA 80’s focus on multilateral solutions for sustainable development, placing Africa’s voices and visions at the center of global decision-making. Click here to register to attend