BENIN CITY – The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has collaborated with EdoJobs and the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to sensitise youths in Benin City on regular migration pathways to Germany, career opportunities in Nigeria and how to avoid fraudulent recruiters.
The ministry gave the sensitisation at a forum held at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Airport Road, Benin City, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Migration experts and labour market counsellors present at the event said while opportunities still exist in Nigeria, access to accurate information remains critical for those seeking prosperity abroad.
Speaking on career opportunities and emerging jobs in Nigeria, Mrs Joanne Ali of the MRC said contrary to the belief that there are no jobs in the country, the real challenge is skills mismatch, outdated curriculum and slow job creation.
“There are jobs in Nigeria, but we do not have the right skills to match the jobs that are available,” she said.
Ali listed drivers of persistent unemployment to include slow job creation, graduates working outside their discipline, high power and logistics costs, low start-up capital, insecurity and economic shocks.
She said employers now demand practical, job-ready skills, digital literacy, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skill, while many graduates present only theoretical knowledge, generic CVs and certificates without portfolios.
Ali urged students to volunteer and intern while in school to build the two to five years’ experience often demanded by employers, and to tailor CVs to specific job adverts to beat automated tracking systems.
She advised youths to use Labour Market Information (LMI) from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), NELEX, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), NECA, job centres, MRCs, ILO and World Bank to know growing jobs, pay and required skills.
She informed the youths that vacancies are published daily on NELEX, Vanguard, LinkedIn, Jobberman, MyJobMag and EdoJobs.
Speaking on trending jobs, Ali named technology (software development, fintech, data analysis, web design, ethical hacking, cybersecurity, AI, digital marketing), healthcare (pharmacy, nursing), agribusiness and agritech, solar and renewable energy, construction, creative industry, logistics and finance.
She said based on LMI projections, growth is expected in data analysis, AI tools, UI/UX, digital marketing and solar installation in the next two years; AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, renewable energy and agritech in three to five years, and robotics, biotech, healthcare, sustainability and green finance in five to ten years.
Ali, however, warned against red flags including paying for job offers, no written contract, unlicensed recruiters, withholding of passports, restriction of movement and promises to handle all visas without due process.
According to her, MRCs in Benin (Federal Secretariat, Aduwawa), Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Nasarawa vet contracts and offer free pre-departure orientation, job matching, counselling and anti-trafficking awareness in partnership with GIZ and EdoJobs.
A migration expert and first-class graduate of Philosophy, who narrated how a fully-funded German Government scholarship in 2006/2007 for his master’s degree transformed his life, said Germany is often not among the top five destinations for Nigerians, who prefer Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
Speaking on regular migration, study and work, and vocational training in Germany, he said Germany offers greater prospects as the world’s third-largest economy after the United States and China, and the largest economy in Europe, with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over $5.05 trillion compared to Nigeria’s just above $300 billion, and GDP per capita of about $65,000 against less than $1,500.
He cited data from the German Consulate in Lagos, saying over 84,000 Nigerians lived in Germany as of 2024. He put Germany’s employment rate at 77.2 per cent and unemployment at about 2.8 per cent as of June.
“We are not a travel agency or a recruitment organisation. We are here to provide you with valuable information and guide you through migration advice and counselling. There are a lot of fraudulent agents in the country. We do not want you to fall victim,” he said.
He advised youths to seek guidance only from verified agencies — MRCs, EdoJobs centres and offices of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
On the amended Skilled Immigration Act 2023, he explained three pillars: the Qualification Pillar (old route) which required working strictly in field of study with certificate recognition; the Experience Pillar (new) where applicants with at least two years’ experience can work in that sector even if unrelated to their qualification without mandatory recognition; and the Potential Pillar/Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) which allows Nigerians to travel to Germany for one year to search for jobs.
He outlined five steps to securing jobs: Preparation (at least B1 German via Duolingo, Deutsche Welle, Babel); Job Search (Make it in Germany portal — http://make-it-in-germany.com); Application (tailored cover letter and Europass CV); Interview (research company); and Job Contract (formal contract with minimum 24 days annual leave).
On vocational training (Ausbildung), he said Germany operates a dual system — 70 per cent in-company, 30 per cent in vocational school — where trainees earn €724 to €1,300 monthly, with hospitality paying €800 to €1,180. Requirement is secondary school certificate and B1 German. He said 18 Nigerians trained in Lagos last year under a Goethe-Institut/AHK/IHK partnership, with seven already relocated in September.
Speaking on studies, he said public universities in Germany are tuition-free, unlike the UK where a master’s costs £16,000-£20,000, with only Baden-Württemberg charging about €6,000 yearly for non-EU students. Students, however, pay about €300 per semester and must provide a blocked account of €11,904 for one year (about €992 monthly) for living costs.
The forum drew students, graduates, corps members and young entrepreneurs from across Edo State, many of whom described the session as eye-opening.
Some participants who spoke with our correspondents at the end of the programme said they had previously relied on agents for information on travelling abroad, but now understood the importance of verified sources and acquiring relevant skills before migrating.
They commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, EdoJobs and the MRC for bringing accurate migration information to the state.
The organisers urged participants to visit the MRC at the Federal Secretariat, Aduwawa, Benin City and EdoJobs centres for free follow-up counselling, contract vetting and pre-departure orientation.
