President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Slams Nigeria’s ‘Certificate Without Skill’ Culture, Says Graduates Are Not Job-Ready

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sounded a clarion call, insisting that Nigeria’s youthful population must become a formidable economic force rather than a wasted demographic advantage. Speaking at the inauguration of the National Industrial Manpower Summit (NIMS) 2025 in Abuja, the President stressed that the country’s median age of 17 presents both an unprecedented opportunity and a looming threat if left untapped. He warned that the world will not wait for Nigeria to catch up, making it imperative to invest aggressively in manpower development.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s remarks, delivered through Vice-President Kashim Shettima, were a stark reminder of Nigeria’s chronic mismatch between educational output and industrial demand. According to him, this gap has crippled productivity, deterred investors, and left millions of graduates unemployable. The proposed National Industrial Manpower Development Policy is designed to address this crisis, creating a blueprint for aligning education, training, and industry needs.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Vows End to ‘Certificate Without Skill’ Culture

Bola Ahmed Tinubu decried Nigeria’s obsession with paper qualifications over practical expertise, describing it as a major obstacle to national development. He argued that certificates without competence have led to a bloated, underperforming workforce incapable of driving industrial growth. His administration, he assured, will push for reforms that integrate hands-on training and real-world experience into the core of the education system.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu pointed out that global economies are not powered by degrees alone, but by skills that meet industrial needs. He challenged Nigeria’s educational institutions to adapt or risk irrelevance in a fast-changing job market. The new policy framework, he said, will dismantle the outdated “teach-to-pass-exams” culture and replace it with a demand-driven learning model that produces job-ready citizens.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Targets Public-Private Synergy for Job Creation

Bola Ahmed Tinubu called for a strategic partnership between the government and private sector to address Nigeria’s unemployment crisis. He argued that the state alone cannot bear the burden of industrial manpower development, and that corporate players must be active collaborators in training and absorbing young talent.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu emphasised that industry-specific training programmes, designed in partnership with private companies, will bridge the skills gap faster than bureaucratic interventions. He urged businesses to view manpower investment not as corporate charity, but as a long-term strategy to ensure a competent workforce that sustains industrial productivity and competitiveness.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Warns Against Policy Paralysis

Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a veiled criticism of past administrations, accusing them of hosting endless economic summits without translating discussions into real action. He described such inaction as “policy paralysis” that has stalled Nigeria’s progress for decades. The 2025 summit, he insisted, will be different—its resolutions will be implemented with urgency.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that his administration will not tolerate the recycling of policy papers that gather dust while unemployment soars. Instead, he promised that the actionable recommendations from NIMS 2025 will be adopted into law, budgeted for, and executed within strict timelines to avoid the fate of past economic blueprints.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu Pledges Future-Proof Workforce Training

Bola Ahmed Tinubu highlighted that the global industrial landscape is changing at lightning speed, with automation, artificial intelligence, and green technologies redefining jobs. He warned that without foresight, Nigeria’s workforce risks becoming obsolete in the face of these transformations.

Bola Tinubu explained that the new manpower policy will not only address present job needs but also anticipate the demands of future industries. By investing in advanced technical education, innovation hubs, and digital skills programmes, Nigeria can position itself as a global hub for industrial talent rather than a dumping ground for outdated labour.

Bola Tinubu Challenges Nigerians to Redefine Work Culture

Bola Tinubu argued that manpower development is not only about skills, but also about work ethics, productivity, and a mindset shift. He called for a national reorientation where citizens value excellence, punctuality, and innovation as non-negotiable work standards.

Bola Tinubu urged Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future by actively participating in training and capacity-building initiatives. He reminded them that no government programme can succeed without individual responsibility and the will to adapt. In his words, “Manpower is the soul of an economy; without it, all infrastructure and investments are meaningless.”