By Priscilla Osaje
Salute Nigeria Initiative has partnered with the Pat Fernandes Foundation to promote youth empowerment, education, and job creation in Nigeria.
The Director-General of the Salute Nigeria Initiative, Amb. Chielo Ojirika, said this at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two organisations have entered a new partnership aimed at empowering Nigerian youths through international job opportunities, technical training, and global educational support.
Ojirika said the new partnership, tagged “The Nigeria Industrial Revolution Project (NIRP)” was to promote youth empowerment, education, and job creation in Nigeria
“We are signing this MOU to let the world know that we are now collaborating to contribute to the development of Nigeria, and by extension, the world,” he said.
According to him, the partnership focuses primarily on youth empowerment and international job creation, leveraging global connections to open new doors for Nigerian youths in Europe—particularly in Denmark, Poland, Germany, and other countries.
Ojirika is also the Nigerian Cultural Ambassador to Germany and the Coordinator of the forthcoming Nigerian German Investment and Cultural Expo, NGICE, scheduled for Berlin, Germany.
The Expo themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Investment Potentials for Industrial Revolution and Cultural Expo: Key Opportunities for Foreign Direct Investment” was chaired by former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Sir Mike Okiro.
According to Ojirika, the expo aims at
boosting Nigerian image globally and fostering existing economic relationship with Germany and the entire world.
He described the expo as a collaborative effort by the Office of the Secretary to the Goverment of the Federation (OSGF), Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, and other MDAs.
Also speaking, Mr Patrick Fernandes, Chairman of the Pat Fernandes Foundation, traced the foundation’s efforts back to 2017, when the organisation sponsored young Nigerians to pursue undergraduate studies in India.
Fernandes, who is also the newly appointed Chairman, Communication Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Abuja, said many Nigerian undergraduate students have successfully graduated, and are now contributing to society.
“The post-COVID programme now offers two major opportunities: International employment placements through partner offices in Poland and Germany and Technical training for youths with specialised skills—whether graduates or not.”
He emphasised that the global job market is shifting towards technical competence, with high demand for skills in fields such as electrical electronics, carpentry, welding, and mechanical fitting.
Fernandez noted that while local training often leaves young Nigerians without job opportunities, the partnership offers a clear pathway: students will “learn and earn” through a two-year diploma abroad, after which they are absorbed into industries across Europe with job contracts lasting up to three years.
“Graduates can expect to earn a minimum of €1,400 per month, excluding bonuses—amounting to as much as N2.5 to N2.6 million monthly. Over two years, returning youths could accumulate up to N30 million, enough to start businesses and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.”
According to Fernandez, this initiative aligns with the Nigerian government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to support government efforts by equipping young Nigerians with global skills, work exposure, and financial independence.
“Europe’s ageing population has created a massive demand for technical workers, with major companies—such as Mercedes-Benz and Ford—actively seeking skilled mechanics, engineers, and technicians. African and Asian countries are now being positioned to fill this gap.
“With this new partnership, we hope to create pathways for thousands of young Nigerians to build careers, gain international exposure, and eventually return home to invest their earnings and skills in the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Project (NIRP).” (NAN)
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
