News
Youth Ministry To Engage National Youth Bodies On Policy Formation
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has promised to engage the relevant youth bodies in any decision-making process of the Ministry that concerns them.
The Honourable Minister made this promise at her Federal Secretariat office, Abuja, when the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) paid her a courtesy visit.
While addressing the team, Dr Bio-Ibrahim, who lamented that the meeting was long overdue, attributed the delay to her desire to make preparations to attend to their demands adequately.
She emphasized the preparedness of the Ministry to ensure that its engagement with the youth yields meaningful results.
“The Ministry is very mindful not to sell the message of falsehood to the youth as the trust between government and the young people has long been broken.”
The minister also reiterated that the Ministry had made plans to take proactive measures to ensure that trust is built and building that trust must be built on the foundation of sincerity and transparency.
The Minister assured them that she would not betray the confidence that the President reposed in her through her appointment as Minister of Youth. ” Mr. President has not made a mistake by appointing me, I assure you that I came prepared, I understand the challenges confronting the youth because I am one of you”. She said.
Dr Bio-Ibrahim stressed the need for the Ministry to be adequately funded as it is currently short of funds.
She explained that the Ministry needed extra-budgetary funding, adding that she started working in that direction since her assumption of office.
While speaking on the review of the National Youth Policy Committee she said, “The list of its membership is undergoing some adjustments which will include sixty percent for the youths and forty percent for the older generation, as the youth cannot do it alone”
Speaking on the National Youth Investment Fund, Dr. Bio-Ibrahim said that disbursement has been put on hold at her behest to study the entire scheme and probably make some input before continuing.
Earlier in his speech, the President, of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ambassador. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo disclosed that the purpose of their visit to the Honourable Minister was to draw her attention to their grievances with the ministry as the apex body of all the youths in Nigeria.
In her welcome address, the Director, of the Network and Social Mobilization Department of the Ministry, Hajia Amina Daura, recounted the history of the council stating that the National Youth Council of Nigeria is an umbrella body that represents the interests and aspirations of Nigerian youths at both national and international levels.
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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