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FG set for operation ‘Youth must Acquire a skill’ initiative’ in 774 LGA
Joel Ajayi
a move to change Nigerian youth narrative in the country the ministry of youth development is set to commence operation tagged “every Nigerian youth must have a skill initiative know as Nigerian Youth Academy NiYA across the country, a move it believed will provide job opportunity for at least 7million youth.
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande stated this when he played host to the State Commissioners for Youth and Sports Development forum his office in Abuja.
He called on Commissioners to embark on aggresive engagement of the youth in their various state to curb the crime in the society.
He said that the Federal Government through Youth Ministry is to deliver at least two skills to every Nigerian youth and consequently train over 7 million youth within the next 2 years, using the platform of the about-to-be launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)
According to the Minister, the objective of the meeting is to have a strong collaboration with State Commissioners from the 36 states of the nation in order to guarantee effective replication of Federal Government initiatives and programmes aimed at addressing the challenges confronting youths in the nation. He emphasized the need to change the narrative through engagements with the youth from different states and provision of the enabling environment to make them productive.
“line with the renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President on access to capital, job creation, poverty reduction, food security, and inclusion, the Ministry is working with the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital platform to educate, empower and elevate millions of Nigerian youths in areas of capacity building, entrepreneurial support, mentorship and much more.
“As the Minister of Youth Development, I am aware that Nigeria has a high population of youths who make critical contributions in the economic development of the nation.”
“In today’s dynamic world, the youths are the driving force in shaping the economic growth of any nation. Therefore, harnessing this energetic and vibrant youth demography has become imperative for the country’s progress and development.”
” Government will train inmates on skills acquisition, adding that the current administration believes that this approach would guarantee the reduction in the number of repeat offenders and also enhance the reintegration of the inmates who are predominantly youths into the society.”
The Minister also emphasized to the commissioners the need for cooperation in order to ensure seamless implementation of youth programmes and policies, most especially at the state and local government levels.
Speaking further about other activities of the Ministry, the Minister observed that the “youth engagement activities which already commenced in Borno State will continue so that at every point, there is always a platform for youths to offer their ideas and make inputs into government policies and programmes.”
“We are equally working, exploring the prospects of establishing a ‘Green House’ in each Local Government Area that will serve as a facility where unemployed young people at the Local Government level can go to access support and begin their journey towards a productive and gainful engagement,”TThe Minister explained that the Ministry will partner with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BoI) and other Ministries, Department and Agencies to tackle the challenges confronting the youths.
In his remarks the leader of the Forum of State Commissioners of Youth and Sports Development, Nigeria, Bashir Datti, who is also the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Plateau State assured the Minister that the Commissioners from various States are ready to collaborate and support the Federal Government to achieve these goals, adding that the youths have to be engaged to shun social vices.
News
Ogunlesi backs Tinubu reforms as FIRS chairman Adedeji highlights export-led economy
Joel Ajayi
After a high-level meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Nigerian-born global investor Adebayo Ogunlesi expressed renewed confidence in the country’s economic reforms, indicating potential mega investments across energy, aviation, and port sectors.
He was joined in that optimism by Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who stressed that the reforms were laying the groundwork for an export-driven economy.
Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ogunlesi praised the sweeping policy changes under Tinubu’s administration, including the removal of subsidies, tax reforms, and the revival of a refinery already exporting aviation fuel.
“We had an excellent meeting where we discussed how to put Nigeria front and center for international investment. The President was very encouraging, and we shared useful suggestions on driving economic growth,” Ogunlesi said.
Although he declined to reveal specific details, Ogunlesi confirmed that his firm is actively investing in Nigeria and assessing new opportunities.
“Watch this space. Nigeria is not yet the most exciting investment destination, but that’s what we are working on,” he teased.
Pressed on the sectors of interest, Ogunlesi highlighted energy, gas, aviation, ports, and renewables. Drawing on his firm’s experience with LNG projects in Texas and Australia, he noted Nigeria’s massive untapped gas reserves.
On aviation, he acknowledged his reputation as “the guy who bought Gatwick Airport” and signaled interest in similar ventures locally.
He also admitted that one of his companies operates ports in Cotonou and Lomé but none in Nigeria, a point Tinubu reportedly challenged him on.
“He forgave me but said, ‘you have to bring port investment to Nigeria,’” Ogunlesi recounted with a smile.
International investor Hakeem Bello-Osagie, who was also present, underscored the importance of diaspora participation in Nigeria’s growth story.
“When Nigerians at home and abroad invest in Nigeria, it sends a strong signal to the world,” he said, lauding Tinubu’s policies for making the country “investable.”
Echoing the sentiment, FIRS chairman Adedeji described the reforms as the foundation for an export-led economy.
“We’ve done the fundamentals, and now it is time to deliver growth,” he said.
With global players signaling confidence, the momentum for Nigeria’s economic repositioning is gaining ground, setting the stage for transformative investments in key industries.
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