By Stella Odueme
Abuja
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to advancing holistic youth empowerment and human capital development through sustainable initiatives and strategic partnerships.
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He stated this during a courtesy visit by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) delegation, led by its new Country Representative, Ms. Muriel Mafico, to his office in Abuja.
Welcoming the UNFPA team, the Minister commended the organization’s long-standing partnership and impactful contributions to youth-focused programmes in Nigeria, especially in the areas of reproductive health, gender equality, population development, and empowerment. He also congratulated Ms. Mafico on her new appointment and assured her of the Ministry’s continued collaboration with UNFPA in advancing the welfare of Nigerian youth.
Comrade Olawande clarified the often-misunderstood concepts of youth empowerment and youth development, emphasizing that empowerment should not be reduced to token gestures such as cash distributions or tool handouts. Rather, he said, it must be rooted in sustainable human capital development, skills acquisition, and mentorship that foster long-term growth, productivity, and self-reliance among young people.
Reflecting on the transformation of the Ministry from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Ministry of Youth Development, the Minister noted that the change represents a deliberate shift toward comprehensive, life-impacting development beyond sports and event-based programmes. He also expressed concern about the decline in societal values and urged renewed efforts to rebuild integrity, discipline, and purpose among the youth.
Marking his one year in office (October 23, 2024 – October 24, 2025), Comrade Olawande outlined the three guiding principles driving the Ministry’s agenda.
These, he said include; eupport the youth by reating opportunities and platforms for young Nigerians to thrive; productive empowerment by prioritizing skills development and capacity building over material handouts as well as protecting the youth by ensuring the safety, rights, and well-being of young people across the country.
The Minister identified skills mismatch and unemployability as key challenges confronting Nigerian youth, noting that while job seekers abound, many lack the competencies demanded by employers.
He called for a review of the national education and training system to align with market realities, stressing that true youth empowerment must be anchored on employability, innovation, and value creation.
Comrade Olawande further revealed that much of the Ministry’s progress in the past year has been driven more by strategic partnerships than by budgetary allocations.
He applauded organizations such as UNFPA for their steadfast collaboration, reaffirming that sustainable youth development requires multi-sectoral synergy involving government, private sector, and development partners.
In her remarks, the UNFPA Country Representative, Ms. Muriel Mafico, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to harness its demographic dividend through deliberate investment in young people.
“This is Africa’s century,” She said, noting that in about 30 years, Nigeria is projected to become the world’s third most populous country, a development that presents both immense opportunity and a critical responsibility to invest in its youthful population.
Ms. Mafico emphasized that equipping Nigerian youth with the right skills, knowledge, and opportunities will not only strengthen the national economy but also enable them to compete and contribute meaningfully on the global stage.
