Maryam Aminu
Nigeria’s future is in the hands of its youth and they are already shaping it with bold ideas, grassroots innovation, and relentless energy.
That was the resounding message yesterday in Abuja as the Federal Government joined the world to mark the 2025 International Youth Day, themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.”
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayoade Olawande, described Nigerian youth as the nation’s “greatest strength,” urging them to channel local skills and creativity into driving economic growth, fostering national unity, and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We cannot reach these goals without the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people. In Nigeria, more than 60 per cent of our population is under the age of 25. That is not just a statistic it is our greatest strength,” he declared.
Olawande said young Nigerians are already making transformative contributions in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, and digital technology, proving their capacity to tackle pressing social and economic challenges. He, however, noted that despite their talent and drive, many face persistent challenges, particularly in securing funding, accessing markets, and obtaining mentorship.
To bridge these gaps, the minister unveiled new measures by the ministry, including the Innovation Funfair a platform designed to connect young innovators with investors, mentors, and development partners.
He explained that the initiative goes beyond celebrating ideas by helping to turn them into sustainable businesses and community solutions.
“Today’s activities from innovation booths to pitch sessions, networking events, masterclasses, and cultural showcases are more than fun. They prove that Nigerian youth are ready to turn ideas into impact,” Olawande said.
The minister also stressed that “going beyond the SDGs” means preparing for the challenges of the future, not just meeting the 2030 deadline.
According to him, this requires continuous investment in youth skills, creativity, resilience, and visionary thinking.
He called on the private sector, donor agencies, and civil society to take an active role in supporting youth-led innovation through funding, mentorship, and policy advocacy.
“Support the ideas you see today with real investment. Fund them, mentor them, and open doors for them to access markets. That is how we will unlock the full potential of our youth,” he urged.
He also commended the resilience and ingenuity of the Nigerian youth, describing them as “workaholic visionaries” whose determination often outpaces the opportunities available to them.
“What we are asking for is not special treatment just an enabling environment for our youth to thrive, innovate, and lead,” Comrade Olawande stressed.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, pledged that the ministry would strengthen partnerships to create enabling environments where youth-led initiatives can thrive.
Olusanya underscored the critical link between youth engagement and sustainable development, noting that over 65 per cent of SDG targets are tied to local governance, where young people’s contributions are most visible and impactful.
“Sustainable development doesn’t begin in boardrooms or government chambers; it begins with bold ideas, local innovation, and everyday actions by young people who dare to make a difference,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary highlighted examples of young Nigerians improving their communities through grassroots entrepreneurship, social impact projects, and climate action initiatives, affirming that these efforts must be nurtured with both policy support and practical resources.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, praised Nigerian youth for pioneering solutions in aggrotech, peacebuilding through art, digital innovation, and climate action.
“Our youth are not just a future workforce they are problem-solvers, innovators, and nation-builders today,” she affirmed, pledging UNDP’s continued investment in youth empowerment.
The celebration featured innovation booths, pitch sessions, networking forums, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, all underscoring one truth Nigerian youth are not just dreaming about the future; they are building it, one idea at a time.
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