Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has called on global partners, the private sector, and civil society to commit to long-term support for youth-led innovation as a key driver of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2030 development agenda.
Olawande made the call on Monday during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration in Abuja, themed “Youth, SDGs and Beyond – Igniting Innovation for a Sustainable Future.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s youth, who make up over 60 percent of the population, are indispensable to achieving the SDGs by 2030 and sustaining progress thereafter.
“With over 60% of our population under the age of 25, Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in its youth
“They are already leading change in agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology,” Olawande said.
The minister acknowledged that young entrepreneurs face significant funding and market access challenges but assured that the government is committed to improving youth entrepreneurship policies, expanding funding opportunities, and ensuring youth voices are central to decision-making across government, business, and development sectors.
He urged partners to back youth ideas with financial support, mentorship, and global exposure. “Our youth are not just beneficiaries of the SDGs, they are co-creators of solutions,” Olawande noted. “Their innovation is the bridge between today’s Nigeria and the Nigeria we dream for future generations.”
The minister concluded with a call for sustained youth empowerment, saying, “Together, we can achieve the SDGs and go beyond.”
Also speaking at the event, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, called for increased investment in Nigerian youth, emphasising that local action is crucial to achieving the SDGs and driving Africa’s transformation.
“The SDGs will not be achieved in New York, Geneva, or Abuja alone, but in our towns, villages, campuses, and communities. It is here, where life happens, that the future is shaped,” she said.
Attafuah highlighted Nigerian youth leadership in agriculture, technology, peacebuilding, and green enterprise, pointing to UNDP-supported programmes that equip young people with skills, tools, and networks to effect change.
She described UNDP’s efforts as extending beyond isolated projects to building a continental youth empowerment architecture. She cited the Timbuktoo initiative, a $1 billion pan-African innovation programme establishing specialised hubs across Africa in fintech, greentech, healthtech, agritech, and creative industries.
In Nigeria, seven UniPods are tailored to local strengths, including ethical AI research at the University of Lagos, agro-processing in Benue, peace-tech in Borno, green mining in Nasarawa, and manufacturing innovation in Abia and Kaduna. All are expected to be operational by the end of 2025.
“To truly unlock Nigeria’s youth dividend, we must scale what works, remove barriers, and invest not in pilots, but in pipelines of start-ups, export-ready MSMEs, and sustainable ecosystems that connect grassroots innovation to global markets,” Attafuah said.
She commended the Office of the President of Nigeria and the European Union for supporting the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, stating that Africa’s transformation will be shaped by “the resilience and brilliance” of its youth and women-led enterprises.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubomi Olusanya, highlighted the critical role of young people in grassroots transformation, national progress, and global development.
Olusanya stressed that sustainable development begins with bold ideas, local innovation, and the everyday actions of youth.
He noted that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, youth development has been elevated to a national priority.
“Through initiatives such as the Nigerian Youth Academy, the Nigerian Youth Aid Desk, and the Nigerian Youth Parliament, alongside programs that expand digital skills, promote entrepreneurship, and reform institutions such as the NYSC, the Federal Office of Youth Development is committed to equipping young Nigerians to lead, innovate, and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” he said.
Olusanya added that strategic partnerships with the private sector, civil society, and development agencies are essential to harnessing technology, creativity, and civic engagement as tools for peacebuilding, economic growth, and inclusive development.
He urged participants to seize the occasion as an opportunity for learning, dialogue, and collaboration, calling on youth to become catalysts for community-driven solutions and national progress.
The Youth Innovation Funfair, organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, featured innovation booths, pitch sessions, networking opportunities, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, providing a platform for young innovators to connect with investors, mentors, and development partners.
PIAK