Youth Minister Urges Nigerians to Build Their Future

On Thursday, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, the Minister for Youth Development, encouraged Nigerian youths to utilize government policies and programs to shape a better future. He made this statement during the inauguration of the book titled “No More Future: Why Waiting Is Over, What to Build Instead,” authored by Mr. Christopher Olusa.

Olawande, represented by Mr. Dotun Omoleye, emphasized that the time for waiting for government intervention is over, asserting that Nigeria's greatest asset is its youth. He mentioned the Renewed Hope Agenda, under which President Bola Tinubu established the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) to equip youths with essential skills.

The minister reported that seven million young Nigerians have been trained, with five million jobs created. As of this month, 239,726 youths have received digital and practical skills through NiYA, and over 1.2 million certificates have been issued.

Additionally, he noted financial support for young entrepreneurs and the ongoing transformation of the NYSC into a platform for skills acquisition.