{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,11]],"date-time":"2026-01-11T15:55:32Z","timestamp":1768146932586,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":0,"publisher":"Koozakar LLC","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JEPSD"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Nigeria faces a severe skills gap that costs its economy an estimated $14 billion \nannually and contributes to youth unemployment exceeding 33%. Sector-specific \nshortages such as a 68% deficit in ICT competencies and a 63% shortfall in agricultural \nexpertise compound the problem, alongside persistent disparities in access to quality \neducation and vocational training. While Human Resource Management (HRM) \ninterventions have gained traction in recent years, there is limited empirical evidence \nevaluating their effectiveness across key sectors. This study conducts a narrative review \nof literature published between 2015 and 2023, drawing on peer-reviewed research, \ninstitutional reports (e.g., World Bank, PwC, NBS), and illustrative case studies such \nas Andela's digital talent model. It benchmarks Nigeria\u2019s HRM landscape against \nregional comparators, including Kenya\u2019s Technical and Vocational Education and \nTraining (TVET) reforms and South Africa\u2019s skills development strategies. Findings \nreveal that vocational training programs (with a 60% readiness score) outperform \ntraditional tertiary education pathways (40%). Sector-specific HRM strategies, \nparticularly apprenticeships and public-private partnerships, demonstrate significant \npromises, increasing job placement rates by up to 30%. However, where structural \ninequalities persist, women remain 30% less likely to access upskilling programs, and \nrural communities face persistent digital infrastructure gaps. Private-sector models \nexhibit high scalability but require robust policy and institutional backing. Addressing \nNigeria\u2019s skills crisis demands context-sensitive, blended strategies such as industry\naligned curricula, gender-inclusive vocational programs, and rural-focused digital \nexpansion that could unlock an estimated 5% in annual GDP growth. To accelerate \nimpact, this study recommends the establishment of a national skills council to \nstandardize certifications, the introduction of tax incentives for employer-led training, \nand strategic investments in digital infrastructure. Bridging Nigeria\u2019s skills gap is vital \nto reducing inequality, minimizing economic losses, and transforming the nation\u2019s \nyouth into catalysts for inclusive, sustainable development.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.69798\/84744666","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,10]],"date-time":"2025-08-10T12:41:41Z","timestamp":1754829701000},"page":"71-83","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Tackling Nigeria\u2019s $14 Billion Skills Crisis: Sector-Specific Human Resource Management Interventions for Inclusive Growth and Competitiveness"],"prefix":"10.69798","volume":"1","author":[{"name":"Bayelsa State Polytechnic, Aleibiri, Nigeria","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-6903-6230","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lolo","family":"Adias","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1683-415X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aziba-anyam","family":"Raimi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"50185","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]]},"container-title":["Journal of Ecopolitics, Peace, and Sustainable Development"],"original-title":[],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,11]],"date-time":"2026-01-11T13:04:42Z","timestamp":1768136682000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/koozakar.com\/journals\/article\/KJ-66480962"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]]},"references-count":0,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.69798\/84744666","relation":{},"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]]}}}