By Onilede Titi Faith
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development on Thursday convened a high-level pre-summit meeting in Abuja to prepare for the Youth Development Summit slated for September 12, 2025.
The session brought together national and international stakeholders to align on reforms and partnerships aimed at empowering Nigerian youth through education, innovation, and leadership development.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, welcomed participants and international partners, describing the forthcoming summit as a launchpad for transformative change in Nigeria and across Africa.
As part of planned reforms, Olawande announced the creation of two new departments: the Department of Youth Education (Youth Ed), to promote access to quality education and 21st-century skills, and the Department of Youth Health, Mental & Physiological Affairs (YHMPA), to tackle mental health, substance abuse, and overall youth wellness.
More than 35 national and international partners are backing the reforms, coordinated by the Youth Ed Technical Working Group comprising ministry directors and technical advisors.
The meeting also underscored a shift in focus from youth employment alone to entrepreneurship, innovation, and broader human capital development.
“Relying solely on government or corporate jobs is not sustainable for Nigeria’s youth majority,” Olawande said.
Strategic support for the initiative came from organisations including IFMSA, IPSF, Africa CDC, the UN, WHO, and others.
A youth health delegation, however, raised concerns about inadequate resources and representation for youth-led health movements, urging stronger inclusion in decision-making.
