Minister Reaffirms Commitment to Empower Nigerian Youth

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reiterated his unwavering dedication to advancing the Presidential Priorities and deliverables aimed at empowering young Nigerians. This commitment is focused on fostering innovation, building leadership skills, and promoting youth development across the nation.

Speaking during a follow-up meeting with Hadiza Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination and Head of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit, in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, the Minister emphasised his determination to create impactful programmes that address the needs of Nigeria’s youth.

Comrade Olawande underscored the importance of collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure these initiatives translate into measurable outcomes that will drive progress and prosperity.

Highlighting the Ministry’s deliverables, the Minister stated:

“We are establishing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to facilitate the creation and expansion of MSME incubators, accelerators, and innovation centers across the six geopolitical zones. This framework will specifically engage and empower youth while advancing efforts to enact a bill for the establishment of a Youth Bank.

“In addition, we will rehabilitate all existing youth development centers to include recreational facilities that are youth-friendly. A comprehensive data management system will be introduced to track the impact of youth programmes, while the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) will strengthen its initiatives in agriculture, vocational skills, technology, and social inclusion, in line with the Presidential Deliverables.”

The Minister urged the ministry’s management to embrace their responsibilities with determination and focus, ensuring these deliverables bring tangible benefits to young Nigerians and demonstrate the transformative power of effective governance.

In her remarks, Hadiza Bala Usman commended the Ministry’s progress and reiterated the importance of addressing youth issues as a national priority.

“Our engagements with sectors such as education, sports, and the creative economy aim to develop actionable plans to meet the expectations of our youth. We have critical milestones to achieve by 2025, and my team is ready to provide the expertise and support needed to succeed.

“This marks a new beginning. We are here to strengthen the Ministry, foster collaboration, and empower everyone committed to achieving these shared goals,” she stated.

Dominican Nwabufo