The Federal Government has equipped 239,726 Nigerian youths with digital, employability and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said.
The minister announced this yesterday in Abuja during the commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) with the theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
He said the achievement demonstrated the government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills and expanding their access to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Olawande said the NiYA programme was designed to provide young Nigerians with practical skills needed to adapt to the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
“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,” he said.
The minister also announced that 1,215,203 certificates had been downloaded from the NiYA platform, describing the figure as evidence of growing participation by young Nigerians in the academy’s learning and development programmes.
He said the number of certificates downloaded reflected the determination of Nigerian youths to acquire new skills and improve their employability.
Olawande said 200 young business owners had received N1m each under the NiYA StartUp initiative, and another 200 youths operating in the informal sector had 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 through improved access to capital, business development support and opportunities for enterprise growth.
“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,” the he said.
Olawande said the initiatives were part of the government’s broader strategy to position Nigerian youths as active participants in national development and ensure that skills acquisition translated into tangible economic opportunities.
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, called for sustained investment in youth development, commending Nigerian youths for their resilience, creativity and resourcefulness.
She sought a stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, the private sector and youth-led organisations to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
Also, in her message commemorating this year’s IYD, Mrs. Tinubu also urged young Nigerians to embrace active citizenship and remain focused and hardworking in the pursuit of their dreams.
International Youth Day is observed annually on August 12 to draw attention to issues affecting young people and promote their participation in society.
Reflecting on this year’s theme: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the First Lady noted that that despite differences in backgrounds and circumstances, young people across the world are united by similar aspirations for a better future.
“Although young people come from diverse backgrounds and face different circumstances, they share common aspirations for quality education, meaningful employment, equal opportunities, and a more sustainable future,” she said.
Mrs. Tinubu encouraged Nigerian youths not to allow prevailing circumstances to deter them from pursuing their ambitions.
She stressed the importance of hard work and productive engagement.
“I encourage our youth to remain focused and hardworking. Use education, innovation, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship to pursue your dreams, fulfil your potential, and help build a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,” she said.
The First Lady also called for renewed commitment by government, institutions and other stakeholders to creating an enabling environment in which young people could thrive and make meaningful contributions to national development.
“As we commemorate this day, let us renew our commitment to supporting and empowering young people by creating opportunities for them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
She wished young Nigerians and their counterparts across the world a happy International Youth Day.
Also, Okpebholo said the recruitment was part of his administration’s means to pursue youth engagement and employment initiatives,
The governor urged young people in the state to reject criminality, cultism, and violence acts
Governor Okpebholo, who urged the youths to embrace education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, said his administration was committed to creating opportunities for young people through investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, security, and skills development.
He spoke during yesterday’s commemoration of the International Youth Day 2026.
Okpebholo acknowledged challenges faced by young people, including unemployment, the rising cost of education, limited access to capital, and the uncertainties associated with early adulthood.
The governor tasked the youths not to allow the challenges to determine their future, saying, “Your present circumstances do not have to determine your future.
“Youth can complement government efforts with determination, discipline, and a commitment to legitimate means of livelihood.
“The government can not do this alone. The future of Edo must be built with our young people, not merely for them.
“There is honor in honest work. There is dignity in learning a trade. There is power in education, and there is lasting success in integrity,” he said.
The governor said his administration was promoting youth employment through infrastructure projects, agricultural initiatives, and technology-driven ventures under its five development pillars of security, health, infrastructure, natural resources and agriculture, and education.
Also, wife of Anambra State governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, yesterday called for continued creation of spaces and enabling environment for Nigerian youths to learn, build, lead and thrive.
In her message to mark the IYD,rs. Soludo said every youth deserved the opportunity to discover their potential and turn their dreams into meaningful impact.
Describing youths as not merely leaders of tomorrow but real changemakers, innovators and entrepreneurs, the governor’s wife urged them to believe in themselves and never underestimate the difference they could make.
She said: “Young people are not merely the leaders of tomorrow; they are the real changemakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, creators and problem-solvers shaping our world today.
“As we celebrate International Youth Day, let’s continue to create spaces where our young people can learn, build, lead and thrive.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and turn their dreams into meaningful impact. The world owes them that.
“To every young person in Anambra and beyond, believe in yourself, keep learning, stay healthy, and never underestimate the difference you can make.
“Your ideas, energy and courage are needed in building the future we all truly desire. Happy International Youth Day!”
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