Minister Urges Nigerian Youths To Drive National Development

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged Nigerian youths to deploy their talents, creativity and energy towards addressing societal challenges, promoting peace and advancing national development.

He said young people must take advantage of available opportunities, embrace lifelong learning and turn their ideas into productive ventures.

Olawande made the call on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at the commemoration of National Youth Day, organised by the Patriotic Nigeria Youth Forum.

The event was held under the theme, “Reimagining the Nigerian Youth: Leadership, Innovation and Greater Nation.”

The minister, who was represented by Ngozi Icheke-Ofurumi, said the country’s future depended largely on the quality of leadership, innovation and civic responsibility instilled in young people.

He said, “The future of Nigeria depends significantly on the quality of leadership, innovation and civic responsibility we nurture among our young people today.

“I encourage our youths to take advantage of available opportunities, remain committed to lifelong learning and develop the courage to transform their ideas into productive ventures.”

Olawande commended the PNYF for its commitment to youth mobilisation, patriotism and national development.

He stressed the need to expand youth participation in governance, strengthen partnerships across sectors and promote intercultural understanding.

According to him, young Nigerians should not remain passive beneficiaries of government policies but should actively participate in shaping the country’s future.

“Platforms like the one provided by PNYF today reinforce the bridge between communities and grassroots, ensuring that our youths are not merely beneficiaries of government, but active co-creators of our national destiny,” he said.

The minister added, “Let us build a Nigeria where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, contribute and realise their full potential.”

Also speaking, a board member of the North Central Development Commission, Solomon Adodo, urged young Nigerians to take advantage of opportunities offered by regional development commissions.

Adodo noted that the six regional development commissions, alongside the Niger Delta Development Commission, were established to drive development and improve opportunities across the country.

“These are not just mere institutions of government. They are vehicles to drive development for the youths. They belong to you,” he said.

He challenged young people to approach the commissions with innovative ideas and proposals capable of attracting support.

“Knock on the doors of all these commissions. Bring your innovative ideas forward. And together, let us build the new Nigeria of our dreams,” he added.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of the Patriotic Nigeria Youth Forum, Olamide Odumusu, called on the Federal Government and private sector to prioritise investments in young Nigerians.

He identified quality education, employment, entrepreneurship, vocational training, affordable financing and meaningful participation in governance as critical areas requiring urgent attention.

Odumusu said while young people must be encouraged to take responsibility, government and institutions must also create an enabling environment for them to succeed.

“We challenge young people to take responsibility; we must equally challenge our institutions to create opportunities,” he said.

He urged private organisations to invest in young talents through employment opportunities, internships, mentorship, innovation grants and enterprise development.

“Investing in young people is not charity; it is an investment in Nigeria’s economic growth, stability and prosperity,” he said.

The PNYF coordinator reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting responsible citizenship, leadership development, innovation, national unity and sustainable youth empowerment.

He said the forum would continue to create platforms through advocacy, public lectures, partnerships and leadership engagements to prepare young Nigerians for nation-building.

Odumusu added that young people should be recognised not merely by their population but by their ideas, achievements, character and capacity to transform society.