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Increased Investment In Youth Can Stop Irregular Migration – Minister

Published

6 years ago

November 27, 2019

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has said youth are underserved by development and only an increase in youth-targeted investment can stop irregular migration that arises because of the situation.

He advocated for partnerships between critical non-for-profit agencies and his Ministry strategic plan, called DEEL, as one of the ways to reduce irregular migration in the country.

Speaking on a discussion panel alongside the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, during the launch of the UNDP Migration Report in Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, the Minister, said the technical expertise of the NGOs would help in training young people to acquire digital skills and become employable, thereby discouraging irregular migration.

One of the strategies of Objection 7 of the National Youth Policy is to ‘Provide youth job seekers with information on working legitimately in other countries to discourage illegal migration’.

The UNDP Migration Report is called “Scaling Fences: Voices of Irregular African Migrants to Europe”. Some of the most shocking statistics from the report showed that of the 30,000 irregular migration deaths and disappearances reported by IOM for the period 2014 to 2018, over 17,000 took place in the Mediterranean. Also, 17% of the respondents spoken to were Nigerians representing the largest in the group. Just 38% said they earned enough ‘to get by’, 50% felt they were not earning enough, and only 12% reported being able to save.

“We need to invest more in our youth,” Mr. Dare said. “I’m shocked by the fact that the bulk of those that leave our shores are actually educated. Some of our youth go over to Europe just because they want to enjoy constant power (electricity). They want a life that is easier and gives opportunities. If we invest more in our youth, perhaps whatever pulls them to engage in irregular migration will no longer be so strong and they will find reasons to stay back. There’s political will now to look at the youth buzz and see what can be done.

“There are over 250 digital skills that we can train our youth on. We have come up with the plan called DEEL, with digital skills acquisition as a key component. In partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria, we are setting up digital hubs. 24 of them. We want to have 300 youths go through trainings at each of these digital hubs for 2 months per group in 10 different areas of digital skills. They will get certification, after which they get some support to self-start.

“We have designed so many programmes and we need to build capacity and so we have NGOs like the UNDP and the DFID not just the resources but also the manpower to help us train our youth. Partnerships are important.”

Speaking about his programmes for the Youth, the Minister said he has been on a quest to identify the best opportunities to improve the employability of young people and profitability of their enterprises.

He said, “There is a United Nations programme for the Youth called the Junior Professional Officers and Nigeria has the opportunity to place 122 youth in those offices. We intend to send 122 of our youth into the UN system, working with the Ministry of Finance. It comes at a cost, about $3.2m but we will do it. There is a new drive to cater for our youth, even those at the very bottom of the pyramid. From the vulcanizers on the roadside to the graduate that news new digital skills.”

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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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