Maryam Aminu
Nigeria’s path to sustainable economic growth lies in harnessing the vast potential of its young population, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said on Monday, as he received participants of the Senior Executive Course 48 (SEC 48) of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Abuja.
Olawande stressed that young Nigerians are not just a demographic advantage but a strategic asset capable of driving innovation, enterprise, and economic transformation, noting that government policies are increasingly focused on positioning youth at the centre of productivity and wealth creation.
Olawande noted that the Ministry is implementing targeted policies and programmes aimed at empowering youths through entrepreneurship development, digital innovation, skills acquisition, and improved access to finance.
He said the goal is to reposition young Nigerians from the margins of economic participation to the centre of productivity and wealth creation.
“We are deliberately strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem by building human capital, expanding mentorship networks, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms to help young people start, grow, and scale viable enterprises,” he said.
The Minister added that the study visit by the NIPSS delegation presents an opportunity for meaningful engagement and exchange of ideas that would enrich government’s ongoing efforts at designing responsive and impactful youth development policies.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said the Ministry remains committed to transitioning Nigerian youths from job seekers to job creators through strategic investments in innovation and capacity development.
She noted that the focus of the Senior Executive Course aligns with the Ministry’s priorities, particularly in advancing youth entrepreneurship and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Keshinro urged members of the delegation to critically engage with the Ministry’s programmes and contribute practical policy recommendations that would further unlock opportunities for young people.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, the Director of Research, Musa Umar, said the institute has continued to play a pivotal role in training strategic leaders and shaping national policy since its establishment in 1979.
He explained that the institute’s flagship Senior Executive Course, which runs for ten months, brings together participants from the public and private sectors, the military, and civil society to deliberate on critical national issues.
Umar added that the focus of SEC 48 on the orange economy and entrepreneurship underscores the central role of young people in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and economic transformation.
“That is why we are here today. We consider this Ministry critical in discussions around the orange economy and entrepreneurship because young people are at the heart of these sectors,” he said.
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