Maryam Aminu
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has convened a high-level pre-summit meeting in Abuja as part of preparations for the landmark Youth Development Summit scheduled to hold on September 12, 2025.
The meeting brought together national and international stakeholders to chart a unified agenda aimed at empowering Nigerian youth through structural reforms, innovative leadership, and strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, welcomed participants and partners, describing the forthcoming summit as a “launchpad for transformative change” not only in Nigeria but across Africa.
He also apologized for a slight delay in the day’s schedule, noting that the focus of the Ministry is to drive practical reforms with long-term impact.
The Minister announced the creation of two new departments to tackle systemic youth challenges:
Department of Youth Education (Youth Ed): tasked with expanding access to quality education and equipping young Nigerians with 21st-century skills.
Department of Youth Health, Mental & Physiological Affairs (YHMPA): designed to address critical concerns such as mental health, substance abuse, and overall wellness.
According to him, these departments will work closely with more than 35 national and international partners, coordinated through the Youth Ed Technical Working Group comprising ministry directors and technical advisors.
With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 30, the Ministry is steering a new policy direction that prioritizes entrepreneurship, innovation, and human capital development.
Comrade Olawande stressed that government efforts will focus on creating an enabling environment for young Nigerians to generate jobs and sustainable opportunities, rather than relying solely on public or corporate employment.
The Ministry highlighted the contributions of global partners, including the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), African Union Nigeria, United Nations, and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“These collaborations align with the African Union’s agenda on youth empowerment and position Nigeria as a leader in advancing youth-focused policies on the continent,” the Minister noted.
ISA Jafar, leader of the youth health delegation, drew attention to the limited resources and representation of youth-led health movements in policymaking spaces.
He said the upcoming Africa Youth Health Summit, backed by the Ministry and Africa CDC, will provide a platform for young leaders to engage in health policy and leadership development across Africa.
Africa Security Investigation News 