80,000 young Nigerians get a shot at real-world skills

In Abuja, 777 young trainees — plumbers, designers, farmers and beauticians among them — started the third round of the IDEAS skills programme, a Federal Government–World Bank effort aiming to reach 80,000 young people nationwide. The training is practical by design: each trainee leaves with a portfolio of actual work, followed by an internship and help finding a job. 'Our economy does not need more certificates. It needs more competence,' said Prof. Adesoji Adesugba of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.