The Entrepreneur’s Forge and the Modupe Afiz Ogun Foundation have called on governments at all levels to expand access to vocational and technical training by establishing more skill acquisition centres across the country.
The organisations made the call at a youth summit organised by TEF in collaboration with the foundation in Owo, Ondo State, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day.
The summit, themed, “Youth Health, Innovation and Mental Health,” brought together young people, artisans, students and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities and challenges confronting the younger generation.
Speaking at the event, the Convener of the TEF Youth Summit, Opeyemi Ahmed, said deliberate investment in practical skills was necessary to prepare young Nigerians for economic independence and productive engagement.
Ahmed commended the Director-General of the Industrial Training Fund, Dr Afiz Ogun, for establishing a skill acquisition centre in Owo, describing the initiative as an example of how vocational training could help address youth unemployment and promote self-reliance.
Delivering a keynote address on “Digital Life and Youth Mental Awareness,” Dr Modupe Afiz Ogun raised concerns about excessive internet and social media use among young people, noting that digital platforms could shape behaviour and distort their perception of reality.
She, however, stressed that digital competence should go hand in hand with vocational and practical skills, urging youths to utilise training opportunities provided by the ITF to acquire employable skills and become contributors to society.
The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, represented by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Toheeb Omoloja, urged young people to remain disciplined and committed to personal development, assuring them of the state government's readiness to support credible initiatives aimed at youth empowerment.
Some participants also called for increased attention to youth mental health, saying many young people struggle with emotional and psychological pressures without having trusted persons to seek help from.
They warned that failure to address such challenges could leave vulnerable youths exposed to harmful influences and destructive decisions.
Among those who attended the summit were the Elemure of Emure, Oba Bankole Adeyefa; the Olupenmen of Upenmen, Oba Ebenezer Adewumi Ogunmolasuyi; an Owo-based industrialist, Engineer Tunji Okunrunboye; TVET students undergoing training in furniture making and welding, and artisans from different parts of Ondo State.
The event featured the presentation of Distinguished Role Model Awards to Afiz Ogun and Modupe Ogun, while other awards were presented to young people using social media to showcase Owo’s indigenous culture, heritage and activities.
