In a major step towards addressing youth unemployment across the continent, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, has shown strong support for the launch of the Africa Youth Employment Clock. The groundbreaking initiative, developed by the World Data Lab in partnership with the MasterCard Foundation, was unveiled at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The Africa Youth Employment Clock is an innovative data-driven tool designed to track youth employment trends and provide real-time insights into job growth across the continent. According to Onyejeocha, the platform will not only make data more accessible but also improve decision-making processes in both the public and private sectors, helping millions of young Africans secure meaningful employment by 2030.
Sharing her thoughts on her official X account, Onyejeocha described the Africa Youth Employment Clock as a “pioneering platform” with the potential to transform Africa’s employment landscape. “This initiative provides a unique opportunity to predict employment trends and empower young Africans with the knowledge to make informed career decisions,” the minister stated.
Onyejeocha’s endorsement of the initiative aligns with her ministry’s commitment to leveraging data and technology to combat unemployment, which remains one of Africa’s most pressing challenges. With Nigeria’s youth unemployment rate at a critical level, the minister’s involvement signals a proactive approach to tackling the issue both nationally and across the continent.
At the launch, Onyejeocha met with representatives from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, including heads of agencies and directors, to discuss strategic management initiatives. This meeting further emphasized the need for collaboration between government agencies and international partners to create sustainable employment opportunities for the younger population.
The collaboration between the World Data Lab and the MasterCard Foundation represents a significant step towards addressing Africa’s unemployment crisis. The Africa Youth Employment Clock is expected to be a game-changer, providing data-driven insights that will empower governments and the private sector to implement impactful employment policies.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha’s active participation in this initiative underscores her commitment to reducing unemployment and ensuring that young Africans are well-positioned to contribute to the continent’s economic growth. With the Africa Youth Employment Clock, there is renewed hope that Africa’s unemployment challenges can be addressed strategically by 2030, with real-time data leading the way.
