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Nigeria Woos Korean Investors As Seoul Highlights Youth Initiatives
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Published 10/25/2026 8:08:16 AM
Nigeria Woos Korean Investors As Seoul Highlights Youth Initiatives – THISDAYLIVE
Michael Olugbode in Abuja
Nigeria has urged South Korean companies to increase investment in manufacturing, agriculture, technology and shipbuilding, seeking to leverage Korea’s industrial expertise to boost local production, create jobs and accelerate economic growth.
The appeal was made by the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Babagana Wakil, who represented the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at a reception to mark Korea’s National Day in Abuja, weekend.
Speaking on behalf of the minister, Wakil said Korea’s achievements in industrialisation, technology and infrastructure offered valuable lessons for Nigeria as it pursued economic diversification.
He urged Korean firms to explore opportunities in local manufacturing and assembly, shipbuilding and other industries capable of expanding Nigeria’s industrial base.
He said Nigeria was interested in Korean expertise in agricultural mechanisation, particularly rice production and processing, to improve productivity and support food security. Other priority areas included digital technology, infrastructure, education, technical training, maritime security and fisheries.
Wakil reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s appreciation for Korea’s contributions to the country’s economic growth and skills development, stressing the need to expand trade and investment for mutual benefit.
South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Jeong Yoan, highlighted initiatives supported by his country in youth entrepreneurship, education and agricultural employment, describing Nigeria’s young population as a major asset.
He disclosed that the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) broke ground in September on the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship.
The centre is expected to support hundreds of young entrepreneurs and start-ups in turning business ideas into viable enterprises.
Jeong also said Korea’s Smart School project, implemented with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), had reached 8,000 children and trained more than 300 teachers and school leaders.
In agriculture, KOICA and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are implementing initiatives aimed at creating green jobs for young Nigerians. Approximately 2,000 Nigerian officials have also received training in Korea through KOICA programmes, he said.
“Our shared goal is simple: more opportunities for young people, stronger local businesses, and better lives for our people,” Jeong said.
The ambassador named Daewoo Engineering & Construction, LG, Samsung, Hyundai and Solpia among Korean companies operating in Nigeria’s energy, manufacturing, clean water and digital technology sectors.
He said the Korean Embassy, working with the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), would continue to promote investment, technology transfer and local employment.
Jeong said Korea respected Nigeria’s development priorities and sought to work with the country as an equal partner, adding that stronger commercial ties could create jobs, strengthen local businesses and generate shared prosperity.
Nigeria and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1980, with ties spanning trade, investment, education and technical assistance.
Nigeria is seeking to build on those relations to attract more capital and expertise for industrial expansion and employment generation.
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Jobberman Nigeria, Nigeria’s leading career development and recruitment solutions company, has launched ‘Her Next Move’, a campaign designed to empower young Nigerian women with practical skills and confidence to pursue career opportunities and participate more fully in the workforce.
Through free online training, the initiative supports women aged 18 to 35 as they prepare to enter the workplace, advance into better roles or explore freelance and gig work.
Built around the message ‘Your Future. Your Skills. Your Move’, the campaign places female inclusion at the centre of career development, encouraging women to take an active role in shaping their professional futures. It connects the ambition to progress with an accessible starting point: learning skills that can help women prepare for their next opportunity.
‘Her Next Move’ recognises that career progress looks different for every woman. For a graduate, it may mean preparing for a first job. For a woman already working, it may involve developing the skills to take on greater responsibility or pursue a new role. For another, it may mean understanding how to navigate freelance work and participate in the global gig economy. The campaign brings these aspirations together through a shared emphasis on learning, preparation and action.
This Initiative by Jobberman in partnership with Mastercard Foundation promotes two courses: Jobberman Soft Skills Training and Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker. Both courses are free, with a free certificate upon successful completion.
Jobberman Soft Skills Training focuses on workplace readiness, helping participants build the professional skills needed to navigate work and prepare for career progression. Becoming a Successful Global Gig Worker introduces participants to the demands and opportunities of freelance and gig work, supporting women interested in exploring career paths beyond traditional employment.
By making the training and certification available at no cost, ‘Her Next Move’ reduces the financial barrier to participation and encourages more young women to invest in their professional development. Its focus extends from raising awareness of learning opportunities to helping participants follow through and complete their chosen course.
To bring the campaign to life, Jobberman is working with young creators who are sharing personal stories about ambition, career transitions and the role of learning in their journeys. Through videos, social media posts and follow-up conversations, the creators encourage young women to reflect on their own goals and identify the practical steps they can take towards them.
These stories are intended to make career development relatable, connecting everyday aspirations with opportunities to learn. Across the campaign, the question “What is your next move?” invites women to define progress for themselves and begin preparing for it.
‘Her Next Move’ reinforces Jobberman’s and Mastercard Foundation’s commitment to supporting career development and expanding access to learning for young Nigerian women. By combining free skills training with relatable storytelling and encouragement to take action, the campaign seeks to help more women feel prepared to pursue their ambitions.
