Federal Government has called for greater focus on job creation, skills development and access to funding and markets, as part of efforts to improve opportunities for youths.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the call in Abuja while declaring open the ministry’s management retreat with the theme: ‘Consolidating Youth Development Priorities: Delivering Results, Strengthening Partnerships, and Expanding Impact.’
Olawande said the ministry must move beyond organising programmes to delivering measurable outcomes that would make a tangible difference in the lives of young Nigerians.
He said the ministry’s success should be measured by the number of jobs created, businesses established, skills acquired and young people gaining access to funding and markets.
The minister also highlighted the recently launched National Youth Data Bank, saying reliable and comprehensive data on young Nigerians would strengthen evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation and the design and implementation of youth development programmes.
Olawande called for stronger and more result-oriented partnerships, urging the ministry to assess its collaborations based on their contribution to job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship and other opportunities for youths.
He tasked the ministry’s departments and agencies with improving coordination, stressing that ‘planning must connect with budgeting, budgeting with action, and action must produce measurable results.’
Olawande said the retreat should produce clear decisions on priorities, responsibilities, timelines, partnerships and measurable indicators of success.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Keshinro, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Olanipekun Adebayo, said the retreat provided an opportunity to review the ministry’s performance, identify gaps and develop practical measures to improve results.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to working with the ministry, particularly on skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and the productive engagement of young Nigerians.
A representative of the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, Marshal Adiole stressed the importance of strategic planning, effective monitoring and evidence-based decision-making in advancing youth development initiatives.
Also, the representative of the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration, Sharon Dimanche, A’isha Dahiru, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the ministry in promoting opportunities, inclusion and sustainable development for young people.
Also speaking, Ogo Akabogu, representing the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank remained committed to supporting youth entrepreneurship, improving access to finance and promoting the growth of youth-led businesses.
The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Aliyu Idris Zakari, stressed the importance of meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making and commended the ministry’s efforts to advance youth development.