ADC Partners with ASVAN to Tackle Youth Unemployment Through Skill-Based Empowerment

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has reaffirmed its commitment to combating youth unemployment in Nigeria through practical skills acquisition, declaring that knowledge combined with vocational expertise remains the most effective tool against poverty and dependency.

This position was articulated by the party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkem Ukandu, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the ADC and the Association of Skilled and Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN).

The agreement formalises collaboration on the party’s “One Nigerian, One Skill” Empowerment Initiative.

Ukandu said the initiative was conceived in response to rising unemployment and underemployment, particularly among young Nigerians who graduate each year without market-ready skills.

“Our country continues to grapple with unemployment, especially among youths who leave school without practical competencies that can generate income and build sustainable livelihoods,” he said.

“Empowerment must be sustainable and skills-based not rooted in handouts, but in opportunities that truly transform lives.”

He noted that the programme is designed to equip young Nigerians with relevant technical abilities, promote entrepreneurship and restore the dignity that comes with self-reliance.

According to him, the ADC’s partnership with ASVAN will ensure that the initiative moves beyond policy statements to real impact at the grassroots.

Describing ASVAN as a long-standing advocate for artisans and vocational workers, Ukandu said the association’s nationwide structure makes it a strategic implementation partner.

He added that ASVAN’s previous collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in delivering management and business training to artisans underscores its capacity to drive meaningful change.

“ASVAN is more than a trade association; it is a grassroots engine of empowerment,” Ukandu said. “This partnership aligns policy with expertise and ambition with practical execution.”

In his remarks, ASVAN National President, Comrade Everest Obijuru, described the agreement as a step in the right direction. He said the association, which has operated for over a decade, has partnered with both government and private sector actors on various empowerment programmes.

Obijuru commended the ADC for prioritising skills development over financial handouts, saying the approach would yield long-term benefits.

“We work directly at the grassroots level in trades such as welding, electrical installation, vulcanising and automobile mechanics,” he said.

“Teaching young people how to build sustainable livelihoods is far more impactful than short-term assistance.”