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2024 NYFF Grant Unveiling, Beckons Of Hope For Nigerians Youth-Minister

Published

3 years ago

December 4, 2023

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth Development Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim has expressed that the launching of the 2023/24 Nigeria Youth Futures Fund NYFF remains an inspiration for Nigerian youth for a Prosperous Future.

In her keynote address at the official 2024 2024 NYFF Grant Cycle Unveiling on Monday in Abuja, Minister Dr. Ibrahim said the youth are the architects of the nation and there is a need to invest them for prosperity.

NYFF fund grant, which is a collaborative effort spearheaded by LEAP Africa and funded by the MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Luminate Group, where $1.2 million was given to 160 organizations and individuals.

Minister said this announcement represents a significant increase from the previous year’s disbursement of $600,000 to 130 recipients, demonstrating the growing commitment of the stakeholders to youth empowerment.

According to her, Today marks the unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Futures Fund, a visionary and collaborative effort spearheaded by LEAP Africa and generously funded by the MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Luminate Group.

This initiative seamlessly aligns with the core pillars of the Ministry of Youth: Education, Empowerment, and Engagement. It synergizes with existing initiatives such as the Youth Development Bank, the initiative to equip youth with knowledge and skills in critical sectors, and the creation of youth-centric platforms to project the voice of the Nigerian youth.

“Through collaborative efforts, we invest in educational opportunities beyond classrooms learning by doing, experiencing, and leading. We empower our youth with the resources to turn dreams into reality, fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.

Dr. Ibrahim asserted that the increased funding symbolizes more than just numerical expansion.

“This is a bold move to catalyze a wave of change, encouraging our young citizens to play active roles in shaping the Nigeria we envision,” she said.

The Minister added that this fund serves to bridge the gap between the ambitions of Nigerian youth and the resources needed to make them a reality.

She noted, “We believe in your power to innovate, lead, and drive the progress we all aspire to witness.”

“For us, the NYFF’s significance goes beyond financial support; it is about igniting a national conversation and inspiring collective action toward achieving a future where all Nigerians can thrive. The fund covers key sectors such as good governance, sustainable development & infrastructure and addresses fundamental questions of unity, empathy, and patriotism.

“This fund is not just a financial commitment; it’s a resounding vote of confidence in the leadership capabilities of our youth. It is rooted in the belief that by empowering our youth with the right resources and opportunities, we are shaping the architects of our nation’s medium and long-term developmental plans.”

She urged all beneficiaries of the 2024 Grant Cycle of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund(NYFF) to maximize the 1.6 million dollars for national development.

In her remark, Deputy Director, of LEAP Africa Kehinde Ayeni, explained that the NYFF is a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening youth leadership in Nigeria.

She emphasized the fund’s long-term goal.

“The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) is a five-year collaborative initiative implemented by LEAP Africa and funded by MacArthur Foundation, and Ford Foundation to strengthen youth leadership in Nigeria.

“For the first year, we saw a lot of progress and growth and aspirations of young Nigerians, who responded to the fund and its purpose.

“Now, we are unveiling two categories out of three, which are the development and individual plan.

“We are giving out 1.2 million dollars over the next 12 months to almost 200 organizations or individuals.”

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AWESSA 2026: Customs Assures Border Cooperation for Women Entrepreneurs

Published

1 hour ago

October 25, 2026

The Gleamer

By James Samuel, Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service has said the nation’s borders must become gateways of opportunity for African women entrepreneurs, not obstacles that kill their businesses.

This was disclosed at the African Women’s Economic Sovereignty Summit and Awards (AWESSA) 2026 held at the Customs House, corporate headquarters of the Nigeria Customs Service in Abuja.

Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, his representative, an Assistant Controller, said hosting the summit inside Customs premises was deliberate.

“That this summit holds within the Customs premises is no accident. It is a statement of intent,” he said.

“The border is where the promise of every African trader either comes alive or dies quietly. And the men and women of this Service have resolved that for every woman entrepreneur of this continent, that promise will never die.”

He said women account for an estimated 70% of informal cross-border trade in Africa and over half of agricultural labour, yet they face documentation, standards, finance and harassment challenges.

“Too often she meets the border as an obstacle rather than a gateway. Because she trades in small volumes, in cash, in informality without formal papers, capable business women are now trapped in informality, invisible to trade statistics,” he noted.

He added: “AfCFTA will not be delivered by treaties alone. It will be delivered at border posts, in conference halls, and in market stores.”

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by a Director, said women are central to Nigeria’s non-oil export sector.

According to her, NEPC’s focus is now on building export- ready competitive enterprises through programmes like the Women in Export Initiative, Export Clinic, and Zero to Export.

“Our focus is no longer on encouraging exports alone, it is on building competitive export-ready enterprises. We are supporting women to move beyond production into value addition, quality assurance, standard compliance, branding and market positioning,” she said.

She said AfCFTA offers a market of over one billion people, but women need knowledge, certifications and institutional support.

“Empowering women economically is one of the most effective tools for achieving poverty reduction, food security, job creation and inclusive growth,” she stated.

The Convener, Helen Okon, who is the Publisher of Business Review Africa & Africa Today Magazine, as well as representatives of NAFDAC DG and NEXIM Bank MD, reaffirmed commitment to supporting women-owned businesses access standards, certification and finance.

The summit, with the theme of positioning women as drivers of trade and sustainable development, is part of activities marking the International Year of the Women Farmer.

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