By Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayoade Olawande, has called on Nigerian youths to harness and prioritise local skills as a catalyst for economic growth and national development.

He made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”

Marked globally on August 12, International Youth Day celebrates the vital role of young people in advancing sustainable development worldwide.

Olawande stressed that young people remain central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a global blueprint to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.

“We cannot reach these goals without the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people. In Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25. That is not just a statistic — it is our greatest strength,” he said.

The minister noted that Nigerian youth are already driving transformative change in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology. However, he acknowledged that many innovators face obstacles, particularly in funding and market access.

To address these gaps, Olawande said the ministry introduced the Innovation Funfair to connect young innovators with partners who can help them grow.

“Today’s activities — from innovation booths to pitch sessions, networking, masterclasses, and cultural showcases — are more than fun. They prove that Nigerian youth are ready to turn ideas into impact,” he added.

He further explained that going “beyond the SDGs” means equipping youth for the challenges of the future, not just the 2030 target, by fostering skills, creativity, and vision.

The ministry, he assured, is committed to strengthening youth policies, improving access to funding, and expanding global opportunities for young Nigerians. He also urged the private sector, donor agencies, and civil society to invest in youth-led innovation.

“Support the ideas you see today with funding, mentorship, and market access,” he appealed.

In his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, pledged strategic partnerships to champion youth-led initiatives for economic and national growth. He pointed out that over 65 per cent of SDG targets are tied to local governance, making youth engagement essential.

“Sustainable development doesn’t begin in boardrooms; it begins with bold ideas, local innovation, and everyday actions by young people who dare to make a difference,” Olusanya said.

Also speaking, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, described the theme as particularly relevant given Nigeria’s youth-dominated population.

“Our youth are not just a future workforce — they are problem-solvers, innovators, and nation-builders today,” she said.

Attafuah praised young Nigerians for their contributions in areas such as aggrotech, digital innovation, peacebuilding through art, and climate action, while stressing the need to equip them with tools and platforms to lead change.

She reaffirmed UNDP’s continued investment in youth development across the country.

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