Over 150 policy experts, government officials, private sector leaders, and youth advocates gathered at the Abuja Continental Hotel for the Executive Consultation on NigeriaWorks 2030, a bold initiative aimed at reimagining Nigeria’s workforce for the next decade. The event, hosted by Vivacity Development and the Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF), focused on practical strategies to prepare Nigeria for a future shaped by automation, digital transformation, and green jobs.

With more than 92 million jobs potentially at risk of redundancy due to automation by 2030, the gathering underscored the urgent need for inclusive, skills-based solutions.

SEF Program Director Ms. Kiema emphasized the inclusion of vulnerable groups, spotlighting a recent SEF project in Kuchingoro that empowered over 60 children through trauma-informed creative skills training.

In his keynote, Mr. Apera Iorwakwagh, CEO of the Global Strategic Business Alliance, stressed the impact of poverty and digital exclusion, citing World Bank data indicating that 75% of Nigerians live in poverty, predominantly in rural areas. He urged government ownership of the NigeriaWorks 2030 agenda.

Vivacity Development CEO Engr. Oluwakemi Areola unveiled the three-phase NigeriaWorks 2030 plan:

Phase 1: Awareness and stakeholder engagement

Phase 2: Curriculum reform, upskilling, and global partnerships

Phase 3: Wealth creation, job scaling, and SME integration

She also noted the project’s international reach, with consultations already held in Dubai, Azerbaijan, and the U.S., and upcoming sessions scheduled for Brazil and the UK.

A panel titled “Skills Gaps, Green Jobs, and the Digital Economy” featured leaders from AREAi, the tech industry, and government, discussing solutions to bridge Nigeria’s digital divide, promote eco-smart training, and enable gig economy access.

The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs reinforced the need for gender equity in workforce planning, highlighting programs like the graduation of 50 female auto mechanics in Edo State.

Dr. Aisha Achimugu, Executive Director of FELAK Concept Group, charged stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric:

“This is where you clap for yourself—for being Nigerian. The talent is here; we must unlock it.”

She called for transforming Vision 2030 into a strategic blueprint with measurable outcomes to reverse youth migration and industry gaps.

Breakout sessions and stakeholder engagements yielded clear recommendations, including:

Creating a centralized labor database

Expanding rural digital infrastructure

Redesigning labor classifications to reflect emerging roles

Embedding cybersecurity and AI readiness

Implementing change management frameworks across public and private sectors

The event laid a solid foundation for policy reform and deeper collaboration on workforce transformation. The next NigeriaWorks 2030 convening will be held in September at Imperial College London, pushing the global conversation forward.