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Youth Ministry Launches Empowerment Initiative to Promote Circular Economy, Job Creation, and Climate Action

Published

9 months ago

August 19, 2025

Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in partnership with SAMU Technology and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN), has launched the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI), a bold programme designed to tackle unemployment, boost economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability.

At the launch in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative goes beyond job creation, aiming to raise a new generation of Nigerian innovators, entrepreneurs, and nation-builders.

He described the programme as a landmark achievement under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the administration’s commitment to empowering young people and building a greener, more inclusive economy.

“At the heart of the initiative is the flagship Waste to Wealth Project, which seeks to transform waste into valuable, eco-friendly products while creating sustainable green jobs for Nigerian youth. Through this programme, young people will gain practical skills, mentorship, and access to green technologies, along with opportunities to showcase their innovations in both local and international markets. A dedicated Waste to Wealth online platform has also been launched to serve as a hub for registration, networking, investment access, and market expansion,” the Minister said.
The Minister further highlighted complementary programmes of the Ministry, which according to him, include : the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) focused on youth protection and capacity-building; ongoing digital literacy initiatives in partnership with NITDA; and the launch of “YO! Health”, a new mental health and wellness hub. He also announced the rollout of the Youth Cred Scheme, in partnership with Credit Core, which will expand access to loans for young people and lay the foundation for a Youth Bank, MSME Incubator, and National Innovation Hub.
He further stated that reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are underway to better reflect the aspirations of today’s Generation Z and Millennial populations.
He emphasized that CEYEI will be implemented nationwide, covering all 36 states and more than 774 local government areas, with inclusivity at its core, ensuring equal access to opportunities for young people across regions and backgrounds.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, noted that Nigeria faces a humanitarian crisis affecting over 3 million people ,with a global funding gap of $36 billion.He urged stakeholders to invest in youth-led waste-to-wealth initiatives that can generate jobs, reduce poverty, and strengthen national resilience.
In his own remarks,the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, stated that CEYEI is designed to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian youth, enabling them to turn discarded materials into sustainable livelihoods.
Also speaking, Blessing Ekwere, representing the President of RAN, described CEYEI as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to making young people not just beneficiaries of development, but drivers of change. By reducing waste, reusing resources, and recycling materials, the initiative will help lower emissions, grow the circular economy, and empower young Nigerians to take the lead in climate action.

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FG Commits To National Development With Major Contract Agreements — Umahi

Published

16 hours ago

May 14, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has again signed landmark contract agreements with four (4) construction firms to execute critical road projects across the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. The contract signing ceremony, held on Thursday at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja, marks another major step in the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering durable, sustainable road infrastructure that enhances connectivity, stimulates economic growth, and improves the quality of life of Nigerians.

The four contractors and their respective projects are as follows:

1. Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited – Reconstruction of Mando (Kaduna) – Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State,

2. Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited – Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun States,

3. Messrs Truecrete Solutions Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun State and

4. Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited – Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun and Oyo States.

Speaking during the event, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the projects as strategic national infrastructure designed to boost economic activities, improve transportation efficiency, and strengthen national integration. He noted that the reconstruction of the Mando (Kaduna) –Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State holds special significance, as it was one of the key infrastructure development commitments made by His Excellency, President Tinubu during the 2022/2023 electioneering campaigns. According to the Minister, the present administration remains resolute in its determination to deliver world-class infrastructure that will stand the test of time. “Our vision is to build roads that will last for generations. Under the Renewed Hope administration, we are determined to deliver infrastructure that can serve Nigerians for up to 100 years through the adoption of rigid pavement (concrete) technology,” Umahi stated.

The Minister commended the selected contractors for their competence, track records, and proven capacity, emphasising the Federal Government’s confidence in indigenous contractors. He particularly praised Messrs JRB Construction Company Limited, Truecrete Solutions Limited, and other indigenous firms for their commendable performances on previous projects across the country.

Umahi charged all contractors to mobilise to their respective project sites immediately and commence work without delay, stressing that the Ministry expects measurable progress within the stipulated timelines.

Earlier in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, who formally signed the contract agreements, described the occasion as the successful completion of the procurement process and the official commencement of project implementation.

He commended the leadership of the Ministry for its commitment to ensuring that projects reached the execution stage and reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to effective monitoring, quality assurance, and timely delivery.

Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr. Clement Ogbuagu, presented details of the awarded contracts as follows:

1. Reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road, Kaduna State

Contractor: Messrs J. Patel and Sons Nigeria Limited

Contract Sum: ₦178,116,787,162.00

Length: 122 Kilometres

2. Dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road, Oyo and Ogun States

Contractor: JRB Construction Company Limited,

Contract Sum: ₦295,996,609,992.77

Length: 114.5 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent)

3. Construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road, Osun State

Contractor: Truecrete Solutions Limited

Contract Sum: ₦101,806,585,825.90

Length: 70 Kilometres (Single Carriageway Equivalent) and

4. Construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road, Osun State

Contractor: Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited

Contract Sum: ₦114,854,477,607.93

Length: 73 Kilometres

All the projects will be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology, in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to building durable, cost-effective, and sustainable road infrastructure nationwide.

The ceremony represents another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s road network and accelerate national economic development.

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