Joel Ajayi 

Minister for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, has emphasized that actively engaging Nigerian youth through sporting activities is a vital step toward achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.

Speaking during in Abuja at the presentation of the King’s Baton Relay to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games scheduled to hold between July 23 and Aug. 2 in Glasgow Scotland.

Olawande noted that over 90% of sporting activities naturally involve young people, making it an effective tool for youth mobilization, empowerment, and national development.

“You cannot talk about sports without involving young people. From football to athletics and beyond, youth are at the center of it all,” he said. “The only way to truly drive the Renewed Hope Agenda is through aggressive and inclusive engagement of our young population in sports and related initiatives.”

He pointed out that many youth-focused collaborations between the Ministry of Youth Development and the National Sports Commission are already yielding positive results, with more inclusive sporting programmes being launched across the country.

Reflecting on his appointment as a youth minister, Olawande described the current federal cabinet as one of the youngest in the nation’s history, both in age and in the number of youth-centric appointees.

“For the first time in our democratic journey, young people are not just spectators but active players in governance. We now have a visible presence in cabinet, in advisory roles, and across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”
The Minister also stressed the need to do things differently to achieve meaningful change.

“If a particular system has not delivered results in 40 years, it’s time to change the approach. This government is doing things in a new and transparent way. We’re not just making promises—we’re building systems, opening access, and listening to the grassroots,” Olawande added.

He cited his experience visiting 28 states, where he discovered that the needs and challenges of youth vary by region. This, he said, informed the ministry’s decision to adopt a decentralized and inclusive approach through ongoing youth confabs and regional consultations.

“We’ve opened digital platforms, set up confabs, and we’re preparing to inaugurate a post-confab committee made up of representatives from the National Assembly, the executive, and the judiciary. This will ensure that the outcomes of the confab are implemented effectively.”

Olawande also acknowledged that many young Nigerians have, for decades, felt disconnected from government. But he urged them to be patient and to get involved in the ongoing reforms.

“We must keep pushing and reshaping the narrative. The change may not happen overnight, but we’re committed to a future where young people are not just heard, but empowered and positioned to lead.”

The Minister concluded with a call for collective action and long-term commitment to building a Nigeria that truly works for the next generation.

“Let’s fix the foundation now so that those coming after us will have a solid platform to build upon. It’s a process, and we’re making progress.”

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