The federal government says it’s collaborating with South Korea to address Nigeria’s unemployment issues, especially among the youth and women. 

Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, said this while receiving the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae on Tuesday, in Abuja.

Mr Ngige said the era of white collar jobs was no more, that blue collar jobs were now being created, especially in the technical field and agriculture.

He urged the Republic of Korea to assist Nigeria in agriculture, which has enormous capacity to boost the foreign exchange base of the country.

Mr Ngige said the collaboration would explore opportunities in the agriculture sector and help in jobs creation and ease off the unemployment pressure in the country, especially among the youth and women.

He said the development of agriculture sector through collaboration would assist Nigeria in developing foreign exchange base and reduce spending the nation’s limited resources in importing food.

Mr Ngige stated that products made by Korean companies enjoyed high patronage in Nigeria, including phones, loud speakers and electronics.

He, therefore, appealed to the country to reciprocate Nigeria’s patronage by getting some of their raw materials from Nigeria to ensure a balance of trade between the two countries.

While commending South Korea for establishing skills acquisition centre in Kogi, he urged that the gesture be spread to other geopolitical zones.

He called on South Korea to support Nigeria’s clean energy programme, to save resources wasted from burning oil and gas for the generation of electricity.

(NAN)