On October 16, 2023, Comrade Ayodele Olawande assumed duty as the Minister of State for Youth with a clear priority: giving Nigerian youth a sense of belonging. By Oct. 23, 2024, he became the Minister for Youth Development. Here’s a breakdown of some of his achievements so far.
THE SEP APPROACH: Support, Empower, Protect the Youth Under this strategy, the Ministry is transforming youth development in Nigeria. Here’s how:
The Ministry supports youth in business through NYIF (Nigerian Youth Investment Fund) funding increased from ₦75B to ₦110B to help young entrepreneurs.
AGRICULTURE: Nationwide enrollment portal for young farmers launching this month. Visit: niyeedep.org
The ministry supports sectors like Sports & Entertainment via partnerships.
The ministry’s National Youth Policy implementation targets 6 areas:
- Economic transformation
- Governance
- Mental/physical health
- Peace & security
- Gender inclusion
- Quality education
NYSC POSTING REFORM:
NYSC corps members are now posted to organizations relevant to their field of study. This enhances skill acquisition & career development during their service year.
EMPOWERMENT: Empowering youth means equipping them with skills. Through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA): “One Youth, Two Skills” campaign ensures market-relevant training. Jobs, mentorships, and lifetime resources are offered to millions of youth.
YOUTH CONFAB: Youth now have a voice in decision-making. The CONFAB will provide a platform for youth to propose solutions to challenges affecting them directly.
YOUTH BANK: A technical committee (CBN, Ministry of Finance, BoI, etc.) is working on establishing a Youth Bank to address youth-focused financial needs.
STUDENT LOANS & STIPENDS: To reduce financial stress, student loans and stipends are being implemented to support young people in school.
YOUTH HOUSE INITIATIVE: This has been approved by the President; it includes Youth Houses in Abuja, Youth Centers in all states, and Green Houses in all 774 LGAs.
NATIONAL YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY ACTION PLAN: A technical committee was inaugurated to create a conducive environment for youth employment in both formal & informal sectors.
PARTNERSHIP FOR TRAINING & JOBS: DL4ALL (with NITDA): Digital literacy training for 30M youth.
CNG TRICYCLES: 2,000 youth empowered in the transportation sector.
DATA PRIVACY JOBS: 5,000 youth trained in data protection.
PROTECTION: The ministry has established the Nigerian Youth Helpdesk, a dedicated platform to address harassment & other youth concerns where complaints are resolved in collaboration with agencies like the police. Visit: nigerianyouthhelpdesk.com
The Ministry is committed to building a secure, prosperous future for Nigerian youth by empowering their potential, supporting their dreams, and protecting their rights.
These achievements reflect the resolve of Hon. Ayodele Olawande and the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize youth development.
Nigerian youth deserve opportunities, inclusion, and protection—and @ayowisdom_ is making it happen!