Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government has brought together key stakeholders to confront the pressing challenges of poverty, unemployment, and insecurity facing Nigerian youth through the Youth Economic Intervention and Deregulation Program (YEIDEP).

At the YEIDEP Implementation Stakeholders Retreat, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, underscored the urgent need to respond to the growing realities of economic hardship, violent extremism, crime, and antisocial behaviour among young people.

He stressed that the solution lies in providing sustainable economic opportunities especially through agriculture and its value chains to reduce unemployment and disillusionment.

The Minister urged stakeholders to take ownership of YEIDEP’s rollout by defining clear responsibilities, creating a roadmap, setting measurable timelines, and ensuring accountability at every stage.

“YEIDEP is not just another government initiative; it is a national mission essential to Nigeria’s peace, stability, and prosperity,” Comrade Olawande said. He encouraged participants to collaborate, innovate, and empower young Nigerians to embrace enterprise, resilience, and productivity.

Represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Muhammed Abdullahi, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working closely with partners so that YEIDEP delivers real, lasting benefits for Nigerian youth while also contributing meaningfully to national development.

Providing an update on financial partnerships, the Ministry’s Director of Finance and Accounts, Warrens Bekearadebo Augusta, announced that 9 out of 20 invited banks have officially joined YEIDEP, opening accounts, registering beneficiaries, and facilitating financial operations. She added that 3 to 4 more banks are likely to come on board once they meet the necessary requirements.

She further revealed that registration for the first tranche of beneficiaries has been completed, with over 8,000 verified participants enrolled. To manage them effectively, banks are being grouped into clusters, with monitoring frameworks, accountability measures, and timelines already established.

The YEIDEP Coordinator, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, described the programme as a “necessary revolution” for Nigeria’s survival and prosperity. Drawing from his experience across five continents and 77 nations, he emphasized that Nigeria’s struggles are not due to a lack of resources or opportunities but rather to weak political leadership in the past.

He assured stakeholders that YEIDEP is firmly committed to equipping young Nigerians with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive, empowering them to drive enterprise, strengthen resilience, and contribute significantly to national progress.

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