World Youth Skills Day, observed annually on July 15, is a United Nations initiative aimed at celebrating the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship. The 2025 theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills,” underscores the urgent need to prepare youth for a fast-evolving, technology-driven future. In Nigeria, where over 60% of the population is under 25, AI and digital technology offer transformative potential. From education to health, agriculture to governance, digital tools are rapidly reshaping how services are delivered and how young people live, learn, and work. Yet, this transformation also comes with growing concerns around digital inequality, unemployment, and the skills gap between the demands of the global economy and the training many young Nigerians currently receive. World Youth Skills Day 2025 emphasizes the growing need for young people to acquire future-ready skills—especially in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology—to thrive in the 21st-century economy. As the nature of work continues to evolve, digital transformation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for youth empowerment, especially in developing economies like Nigeria. As AI tools become more embedded in daily life—through automation, data analytics, and digital platforms—young people must not only be users, but also creators, innovators, and ethical leaders in the space. However, the reality is that many Nigerian youth lack access to quality training, internet infrastructure, or supportive ecosystems to fully benefit from these shifts. This podcast provides a platform to reflect on: •The current state of youth digital readiness in Nigeria, •The potential of AI and digital skills to drive inclusion, productivity, and innovation, •And the collaborative efforts needed from policymakers, educators, private sector, and youth themselves to close the digital divide.
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