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APC National Youth Leader Convenes Groundbreaking Renewed Hope Conversationszz

Published

2 weeks ago

April 26, 2026

…..Engages Ministers, Agency Heads, and Over 1,000 University of Abuja Students.

Cyril Ogar

In a bold and unprecedented move to bridge the gap between government and young Nigerians, the APC National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel, convened the maiden edition of Renewed Hope Conversations at University of Abuja, drawing an influential gathering of Ministers, heads of government agencies, and over 1,000 students in a powerful, no-holds-barred dialogue with policymakers.

The high-impact initiative served as a dynamic youth-centered governance platform, deliberately designed to foster transparency, deepen engagement, and give young Nigerians direct access to decision-makers shaping the nation’s future under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In an atmosphere charged with energy and candour, students engaged government officials head-on—asking tough questions, voicing concerns, and offering bold ideas on critical national issues. Discussions spanned education reform, job creation, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, national development priorities, and the urgent need for deeper youth inclusion in governance.

Leading the government delegation were top cabinet members, including the Minister of Education, Maruf Tunji Alausa; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy; the Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari Ahmadu, and Tope Fasua, the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, alongside heads of strategic national institutions.

Also, in attendance were key agency leaders, including the Managing Director of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), Uzoma Nwagba; the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori; the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye; and the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi.

These leaders provided clarity on government programmes, addressed pressing concerns, and outlined bold policy interventions aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians across education, healthcare, technology, and economic development.

The response from students was electric. Participants described the engagement as transformative, refreshing, and long overdue—many experiencing, for the first time, direct and meaningful access to top-tier policymakers in an open and responsive setting.

In recognition of active participation and to further empower learning, students received valuable support tools, including laptops, mobile phones, power banks, and other productivity-enhancing devices.

With a resounding success recorded at its debut outing, Renewed Hope Conversations has set a new benchmark for youth-government engagement. Momentum is already building for subsequent editions across campuses nationwide, as stakeholders double down on their commitment to inclusive governance and sustained youth participation.
This was more than a programme.
This was access.
This was empowerment.
This was Renewed Hope—activated.

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FG Targets 50,000 Youths for Digital Jobs, Deepens Partnerships for Nationwide Empowerment Drive

Published

3 hours ago

May 7, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Federal Government has intensified efforts to empower young Nigerians through strategic partnerships, digital skills development, and inclusive programmes aimed at creating sustainable employment opportunities nationwide.

The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, made this known during a media interview with African Independent Television (AIT), where he outlined a renewed policy direction focused on measurable impact, transparency, and large-scale youth engagement.

At the core of this effort, he explained, is a landmark partnership with the Digital School (TDS), supported by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, targeting the training of 50,000 Nigerian youths in globally competitive digital skills.

The Minister noted that the initiative is expected to produce at least 5,000 internationally certified and job-ready youths within the first six months of implementation.

Comrade Olawande also highlighted the Ministry’s sector-specific collaborations, including its partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), aimed at boosting youth participation in agriculture. He added that this is being complemented by expanded programmes under the Nigerian Youth Academy and other key youth empowerment initiatives.

He further disclosed that the government is scaling up internship, gig economy, and startup support programmes to reach a wider range of beneficiaries across the country, while also intensifying efforts to promote digital literacy through The Digital School (TDS) initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

To enhance transparency and ensure merit-based access to opportunities, the Ministry has introduced a digital engagement platform, “Nigerian New Tech.” He added that ongoing reforms in youth health, financial inclusion, and social protection are also broadening opportunities for young Nigerians.

During the interview, the Honourable Minister said:“We are moving away from fragmented and tokenistic approaches to youth development. Our focus is to build sustainable systems that empower young Nigerians at scale and with real impact.”

“Through our partnership with The Digital School and the UAE Government, we are not just training youths; we are preparing them for global opportunities, whether they choose to work remotely or internationally.”

“For too long, many young Nigerians, especially those in the informal sector, have been excluded from structured opportunities. This administration is committed to ensuring that no young person is left behind.”

“Our role as government is to create an enabling environment where young people can thrive, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

“Transparency and merit are at the core of all our programmes. Access to opportunities should not depend on who you know, but on your capacity and readiness to grow.”

The Honourable Minister reaffirmed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s economic growth, assuring that the Ministry will continue to deepen partnerships, expand programmes, and implement sustainable frameworks for the benefit of present and future generations.

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