Building Pathways to Decent Work: A new Job Centre in Ogun State
Youth unemployment remains one of Nigeria’s most pressing development challenges, with millions of young people unable to access formal and sustainable employment. In response, the Ogun State Government through the Ogun State Skills Fund (OSF), with support from the German and Swiss Governments, has officially launched the Ogun Job Centre to improve youth employability and connect job seekers to employment opportunities.
Located at the Government Science Technical College in Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, the Job Centre is a one-stop hub for career guidance and job matching, vocational and ICT training, business advisory support, and internship placements. It also provides valuable labour market data to decision makers to develop and implement evidence-based policies and employment support programmes.
Since operations began in July 2025, the centre has recorded remarkable results. Within its first three months, the centre has:
registered 1,242 individuals in its database,
engaged 100 employers,
facilitated 31 job placements (including 19 women) and
provided employment services to 292 job seekers.
In her goodwill message, Dr. Karin Jansen, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy, highlighted the value of this partnership. “The Ogun State Job Centre is a major step forward in equipping the next generation of Nigerians with the skills and guidance they need to succeed. It will serve as a bridge between education and employment, ensuring that young people are better prepared for the realities of today’s labour market.” she said.
She also reaffirmed Germany’s longstanding partnership with Nigeria, noting that investing in skills and employability remains central to inclusive and sustainable growth.
Dr Markus Wagner, Country Director of GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS reinstated: “This launch reflects our shared commitment to strengthening local labour market systems. Through initiatives like this, we are helping to build the structures and services young people need to access decent work.”
Representing the Governor, Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to youth development and job creation.
“The Ogun Job Centre is a practical investment in our people,” she said. “It aligns with our vision to build a modern, skilled, and competitive workforce that drives industrial growth and economic diversification. These centres mark the beginning of a broader mission to establish job centres across the state, ensuring employment opportunities are accessible to youth in every community.”
By aligning training with market needs, the centre strengthens local labour systems, supports small businesses, and helps young people transition from learning to earning. It contributes directly to Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and reflects the shared commitment of Nigeria, Germany, and Switzerland to promoting sustainable economic development and youth inclusion.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supported this initiative through the “Skills for Youth Development Programme” (SKYEII) implemented by GIZ.
This collaboration demonstrates how cooperation between government, development partners, and the private sector can create inclusive, demand-driven employment solutions.
Author: Tabitha Danjuma Kachalla, Communications Specialist
