Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ The Federal Government reasserted its commitment to empowering the youth through innovation, inclusive policies, and strategic collaborations, Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande stated on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking at the Presidential Priorities and Deliverables Retreat, the mid-term assessment of the 2025 strategic development objectives, Mr. Olawande highlighted the ministry’s overperformance across flagship initiatives.
According to him, 14,509 young Nigerians were trained in digital skills, well above the target of 10,000, and 97,212 youth received career development mentorship, more than the target of 80,000. The ministry also trained 5,023 youth in crime reduction and peacebuilding, double the target of 2,500.
Other accomplishments included enrolling more than 250,000 youths in the Nigerian Youth Academy, resolving 5,700 cases through the HelpDesk, and mobilizing N31.6 million from youth centers, nearly three times the targeted N11 million. “These figures demonstrate not only efficiency but real impact,” Mr. Olawande said.
The minister also launched a new Nigeria Youth Investment Fund‘s (NYIF) women and persons with disabilities window. The scheme will be run by women’s associations, disability associations, and private sector allies, with assessment metrics to guarantee accountability.
European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gutier Migot, congratulated the leadership of the ministry and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to partnership. He mentioned partnerships such as the 2021 National Youth Conference and 2024 CSO Stakeholders’ Forum, which guided the National Youth Action Plan. He added EU-funded initiatives such as the D SAFE Project, the Nigeria Jubilee Fellowship, and the Agricultural Value Chain Facility, appreciating the resilience of Nigerian youths.
Permanent Secretary Olubunmi Olusanya described the retreat as a moment to look backward and reaffirm, calling for improved coordination, enhanced performance management, and adaptive organizational arrangements for sustainability.
Brig-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), noted that 56,013 corps members, including 2,920 females, had received digital skills training. Since June 2023, over 385,000 corps members have participated in the SAED program, with 1,118 receiving start-up support.
Similarly, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre Director-General Rinsola Abiola linked the retreat to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underlining that Nigeria’s destiny lies in the development of ethical, patriotic youth.
“The progress thus far is proof of what is possible when policy, performance, and partnerships come together,” Mr. Olawande concluded.
