The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap aimed at empowering Nigerian youth and bridging the gap between the government and the younger generation.
Speaking at a media parley in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the minister detailed a series of transformative initiatives, reflecting the government’s commitment to creating opportunities and fostering inclusion for young people across the nation.
Welcoming attendees, Olawande expressed gratitude to key stakeholders, including the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, directors, youth organizations, and media representatives. He underscored the significance of collaboration in addressing the challenges faced by Nigerian youth and achieving sustainable development.
“Youth for Youth” Initiative
Olawande said a new philosophy, “Youth for Youth,” symbolizes a generational shift in leadership and engagement.
He noted “For the first time, we are witnessing a Ministry of Youth Development led by a youth for youth. This alone should bridge the long-experienced gap between the youth and government, which is the main agenda of this ministry under my leadership.”
He described the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as pivotal, adding: “The vision is to give the youth access to government activities that affect them directly through policies, programs, and schemes.”
Milestones and Digital Transformation
To enhance transparency and accessibility, the ministry has launched a Youth Activities Dashboard. This platform, Olawande explained, will help centralize youth-focused programs, eliminate misinformation, and provide young Nigerians with direct access to government initiatives like the Student Loan Scheme and other empowerment projects.
Grassroots Development and Skills Training
The minister revealed plans to establish Greenhouses in all 774 local government areas. These centers will serve as hubs for skill acquisition, entrepreneurship training, and localized economic development.
Highlighting the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative, he stated: “Every youth must have two skills, and these two skills must be in their hands, not in their heads, so they can have economic value.”
To achieve this, Olawande announced collaborations with state governments, private organizations, and educational institutions to ensure training programs reach both urban and rural areas.
Youth CONFAB and Localized Engagement
Addressing the much-anticipated National Youth CONFAB, Comrade Olawande announced a decentralized approach, emphasizing that discussions would not be limited to the federal level.
He said: “We will be meeting at the grassroots. Youth leaders across the wards and local governments in Nigeria will have their voices heard. This is the new strategy to ensure no one is left behind.”
Reviving Leadership and Civic Engagement
The ministry is also revitalizing initiatives such as the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), aiming to instill leadership skills in young Nigerians.
Plans are underway to collaborate with schools, uniformed organizations, and state ministries to promote civic engagement and leadership training.
Looking Ahead
Olawande pledged to leave a lasting legacy by building a ministry that is transparent, inclusive, and focused on empowering Nigerian youth.
“I want to build a youth ministry that is interactive and solution-driven, and we are starting now.”
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