Oyo State launches digital skills registry to tackle unemployment, boost investment

By Bukola Hameed

The government of Oyo State has unveiled a new digital labour and skills database designed to connect employers with skilled workers, improve job creation and strengthen the ease of doing business in one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing regional economies.

The initiative, known as the Oyo State Labour & Skills Registry (OSLSR), was launched during a high-level stakeholder engagement in Ibadan, bringing together government officials, business leaders, artisans, manufacturers, cooperatives and development partners.

Officials said the platform would provide a comprehensive digital register of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers across all 33 local government areas of the state, allowing employers and investors easier access to verified manpower while helping residents showcase their qualifications and employment status online.

According to the Ministry of Investment, Trade, Cooperatives and Industry, the database forms part of broader business reforms aimed at improving workforce coordination, supporting industrial growth and attracting investment into the state.

Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary Mr. Olajide Mamud Okesade described the project as a strategic response to the growing gap between labour supply and market demand, adding that the platform would support evidence-based economic planning and business expansion.

Officials also highlighted Nigeria’s recent business reform rankings, noting that Oyo State emerged as the third best-performing state in the country in the 2025 PEBEC Ease of Doing Business assessment.

The digital platform, developed with support from consultants at Chemiroy Nigeria Limited, allows residents to register their skills and work experience using mobile devices, with the government hoping the system will improve employment matching and strengthen confidence among local and international investors.

Business and artisan groups at the event welcomed the initiative, describing it as a significant step toward improving visibility and economic opportunities for traders, technicians and small business operators across the state.