Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande. Photo: Olawande on X
The Federal Government has equipped 239,726 Nigerian youths with digital, employability and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said.
Olawande disclosed this on Wednesday, in Abuja while speaking at the commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day, themed, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
He said the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills, expand access to economic opportunities and create pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.
“Through NiYA, we are equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to navigate the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities,” the minister said.
Olawande further disclosed that 1,215,203 certificates had been downloaded from the NiYA platform, describing the figure as evidence of growing engagement by young Nigerians with the learning and development opportunities offered through the academy.
He said the increasing number of certificate downloads showed the determination of young Nigerians to acquire new skills and improve their employability.
The minister also disclosed that 200 young business owners had received N1m each under the NiYA StartUp initiative, while another 200 young people operating in the informal sector received N500,000 each to strengthen their businesses.
He added that the ministry’s partnership with Cascador Founders would provide additional support to selected young entrepreneurs on the NiYA platform, particularly through access to capital, business development support and enterprise growth opportunities.
“Our commitment is to ensure that young Nigerians do not only acquire skills but also have access to the opportunities and support they need to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses,” Olawande added.
The minister said the initiatives were part of the federal government’s broader strategy to position young Nigerians as active participants in national development and ensure that skills acquisition translated into tangible economic opportunities.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, called for sustained investment in youth development.
Keshinro commended the resilience, creativity and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths, urging stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector and youth-led organisations.
She said such collaboration was necessary to expand opportunities for young Nigerians and ensure that youth-focused interventions were inclusive, sustainable and responsive to emerging needs.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General [Name], represented by Chief Chienwedu Chukwu, reaffirmed the scheme’s commitment to initiatives designed to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills and prepare them for meaningful contributions to national development.
The Head of Programme, GIZ Centres for Migration and Nigerian Diaspora Matters, Sandra Vermuijten, stressed the importance of strategic partnerships in creating sustainable opportunities for young people, particularly in skills development, employment and migration-related interventions.
In his welcome address, CDS President, Okpalaji Cheta Byron, appreciated the ministry and other stakeholders for providing platforms to promote youth empowerment, inclusion and participation.
He said meaningful youth engagement remained critical to Nigeria’s development.
Nathaniel Shaibu is a correspondent at The PUNCH with three years of professional journalism experience. He covers the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil society, religion, and the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development. In addition to his primary beats, Nathaniel also reports on politics, metro, security, and judicial matters, bringing clarity and balance to a wide range of public-interest stories. His work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, strong beat knowledge, and a commitment to accurate, responsible journalism.
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