Niger Delta youth need job opportunities, not just certificates, says PIND

PIND Executive Director, Sam Daibo, stated this during the organization’s International Youth Day 2026 program, which gathered over 200 young people from across the Niger Delta. Daibo highlighted that training programs are ineffective if young people lack clear avenues to apply their acquired skills, stressing that youth require pathways linking learning to jobs, markets, mentorship, and enterprise opportunities. He added that supporting sustainable livelihoods for young people strengthens local economies and fosters peaceful communities.

The event connected participants from Bayelsa, Abia, Delta, Edo, and Rivers states with employers, mentors, training providers, and enterprise-support organizations. Through a Career Opportunities and Support Fair, attendees explored prospects in ICT, agriculture, renewable energy, construction, hospitality, and the digital economy. Discussions also covered workplace readiness, employer expectations, alternative career paths, internships, apprenticeships, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.

PIND’s Youth Employment Pathways Manager, Patrick Ekpe, noted that the initiative's success would be measured by participants converting connections into concrete career opportunities. The program also featured opportunities in the cassava value chain and Nig