My visit to the Office of the Minister for Youth Development, i had the opportunity to engage in a productive discussion on how to foster greater youth participation in governance and national development.The meeting focused on collaboration,empowerment&policy-making @ayowisdom_
Earlier today, I joined Niger State Governor, Farmer Mohammed Umar Bago; the Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun; and the CEO/Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to empower 100,000 youths through a National Youth Agricultural Scheme.
At the MoU signing ceremony which held at the Council Chamber of the Government House in Minna, I commended the Governor of Niger State for his efforts in ensuring a stable food supply in Nigeria, as well as in job creation and youth empowerment.
I emphasized that the tripartite agreement will strengthen the relationship between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Niger State Government, and NALDA.
I also noted that the agreement is a testament to the success being achieved through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu toward ensuring food security and job creation for Nigerian youth.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago expressed optimism that the agreement will meet its objectives, noting the potentials of Nigerian youth to excel with minimal support.
Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to secure the future of Nigeria’s youth in the digital space.
I was honoured to officially launch the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) program at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. This initiative is the product of a Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on 15th September 2024.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly, so do the risks—especially for young people who are increasingly exposed to identity theft, data breaches, and other cyber vulnerabilities. Despite having over 500,000 data controllers, the country has only about 5,000 certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs). This gap presents not just a security risk, but also a lost opportunity for youth employment and digital inclusion.
YDPAT is our bold response to this challenge. Through this program, we are training and certifying 5,000 young Nigerians in data protection. But we’re not stopping there. We are working with industry leaders to create job and internship opportunities for every trained youth, ensuring that they don’t just acquire skills but also get real pathways to employment.
The program is structured in three steps: training (onsite and online) in two states per geopolitical zone; certification for top-performing trainees, preparing them for roles as certified DPOs; and post-training engagement for continuous development and meaningful impact across communities.
So, if you are a young Nigerian, this is your moment. Don’t be left behind in the future of work and the digital economy. Apply now via https://t.co/vcsBh1v81S and take the first step toward becoming a data protection professional.
#YDPAT #DigitalSkills #DataProtection #YouthDevelopment #CyberSecurity #DigitalEconomy #NigerianYouth #FutureOfWork #Tech4Youth #NDPC #FMYD #YouthEmpowerment #NigeriaDigitalFuture #DigitalInclusion
Today, I received a delegation from Zenith Bank as part of our ongoing engagement with strategic private sector partners committed to expanding opportunities for Nigerian youth.
At the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, we recognise that government alone cannot unlock the full potential of our young people. Sustainable youth development requires strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.
This belief has guided our partnerships with leading institutions across different sectors. Through our collaboration with Providus Bank, we are supporting youth-led startups and entrepreneurship. With FCMB, we are advancing the Youth in Agribusiness Land Trust Fund to improve young people's access to agricultural opportunities. We are also working with Zedcrest Group on initiatives focused on skills transfer and workforce readiness.
Our discussions with Zenith Bank explored additional areas of collaboration that can further empower young Nigerians through entrepreneurship, skills development, financial inclusion and job creation.
The future of Nigeria depends on how well we prepare and support its youth today. We remain committed to building partnerships that translate into tangible opportunities and measurable impact for young people across the country.
#YouthDevelopment #YouthEmpowerment #PublicPrivatePartnerships #NigeriaYouth #FMYD #BuildingTheFutureTogether
Our Youth Data Protection and Training programme received a major boost today as I joined Meta and other stakeholders at the Nigeria Youth Online Safety Summit in Abuja.
As young Nigerians increasingly use digital platforms to learn, create, do business, and access opportunities, it is important that they also have the knowledge and tools to stay safe online.
I highlighted the Federal Ministry of Youth Development’s National Youth Data Protection and Awareness Training Programme, which is equipping young people with the skills to protect their personal data, safeguard their digital identities, recognise online threats, use technology responsibly and also create jobs in the growing data protection sector.
Through partnerships like this, we are strengthening our commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youth are not only digitally connected, but also digitally aware, digitally responsible, and digitally protected.
I look forward to deeper collaboration with Meta and other partners as we work together to build a safer digital space where young people can learn, innovate, and thrive.
#YouthDevelopment #OnlineSafety #DigitalSkills #DataProtection #NiYA #NigerianYouth
APPLAUSE FOR OSASERE OKUNDAYE, NIGERIA'S YOUNGEST CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
I heartily congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on her outstanding achievement of becoming Nigeria's youngest Chartered Accountant at just 16 years of age. This remarkable milestone is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Osasere has distinguished herself as a shining example of the limitless potential of Nigerian youth. Her accomplishment reminds us that with determination, dedication, and the right support, young Nigerians can break barriers, set new records, and inspire a generation to dream bigger and strive for excellence.
I also congratulate her parents, family, teachers, mentors, and everyone who has supported and guided her journey. Their encouragement, sacrifices, and belief in her abilities have undoubtedly contributed to this exceptional success.
As the Federal Ministry of Youth Development continues to champion policies and programmes that empower young people to realise their full potential, Osasere's achievement reinforces our confidence that the future of Nigeria is bright in the hands of focused, determined, and talented young citizens.
On behalf of the Ministry, I congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on this historic feat and wish her even greater success in the years ahead. May her story continue to inspire millions of young Nigerians to pursue excellence with courage, diligence, and integrity.
I am happy to report that the Federal Executive Council today approved the comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the first holistic review of the Scheme in its 53-year history.
For over five decades, the NYSC has remained a powerful symbol of national unity and service. Today, we have taken a bold step to preserve that legacy while preparing it for the future. We are transforming the Scheme into a platform that not only unites Nigeria but also equips our young people with the skills, experience and opportunities they need to thrive in a fast-changing world.
The approved reforms will reposition the NYSC as a skills-driven, productivity-focused and youth-empowering institution that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision of building a $1 trillion economy.
Some of the landmark reforms include:
1. A technology-driven call-up process.
2. Risk-sensitive deployment to better protect corps members.
3. A redesigned six-week orientation programme with stronger focus on leadership, entrepreneurship, digital skills and specialised career streams.
4. Skills-based primary assignments aligned with academic background and career pathways.
5. Modern governance with civilian operational leadership while the military continues to provide security support.
6. Improved camp standards through a national grading and certification system.
7. A new graduation ceremony to replace Passing Out Parade, and redesigned NYSC uniform that reflect professionalism and national pride.
This reform journey began in 2025 through a broad-based, multi-stakeholder review involving the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Federal Ministry of Education and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
Today, that hard work has received the endorsement of the Federal Executive Council.
Council also directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to commence the amendment of the NYSC Act and its regulations to give legal effect to these reforms and enable their implementation.
This is more than a reform of an institution. It is an investment in Nigeria's greatest asset, our young people. The future of the NYSC begins now, and it is brighter, more relevant and more impactful than ever.
#NYSCReform #YouthDevelopment #RenewedHope #BuildingTheFuture
Thank you, Mr. President, for your visionary leadership and unwavering belief in the limitless potential of Nigerian youth.
This historic reform marks the most far-reaching transformation of the NYSC since its establishment over five decades ago. By repositioning the Scheme from a mobilisation programme to a platform for skills, employability, enterprise and national development, Your Excellency has laid the foundation for a generation of young Nigerians who are better equipped to build, innovate and lead.
We are deeply honoured by your confidence in the Ministry of Youth Development and remain fully committed to working with all relevant stakeholders to faithfully implement this bold reform agenda. The future of our youth is brighter because of your leadership, and we will ensure that this vision translates into lasting opportunities and measurable impact for every Nigerian graduate.
Thank you, Mr. President.
My attention has been drawn to some media reports following my brief appearance earlier this morning on Channels TV regarding the ongoing reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), particularly on the issue of the proposed uniform.
For the avoidance of doubt, yes, I mentioned Adire during the discussion. I also mentioned Ankara. My intention was simply to cite examples of some of the proposals that have been put forward in the course of our consultations. It was not an announcement that any particular fabric has been adopted or approved to replace the current NYSC uniform.
For the record, what we are considering are different options that tick all the right boxes in terms of professional outlook, a unique national identity, durability, functionality, cost-effectiveness, and the projection of national pride. No final decision has been taken on the fabric or design.
As with every aspect of the ongoing NYSC reforms, any eventual decision will be guided by extensive stakeholder engagement and what best serves the interests of the Scheme and the nation.
I respectfully urge Nigerians to continue to engage with the ongoing NYSC reform conversation based on its broader objectives and the immense benefits it holds for our young people and our country. The reforms are designed to make the Scheme more relevant to today's realities by improving employability, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening national integration, enhancing service delivery, and creating a smoother transition from education to productive careers.
While conversations around the uniform are understandable, they should not overshadow the far-reaching reforms aimed at empowering millions of Nigerian youths and positioning the NYSC as a stronger platform for national development.
I appreciate the constructive feedback and assure Nigerians that every proposal will continue to be carefully considered in the best interest of the nation.
It is a pleasure to receive the top management of the Nigerian Institute of Management in my office today as I was presented with a Chartered Membership Certificate. The engagement was both symbolic and practical, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening professional standards and advancing effective leadership in public service.
This milestone carries added significance. It underscores the importance of institutional discipline, strategic management, and ethical governance in shaping policies and programmes that empower young Nigerians. Strengthening my professional grounding in management directly supports the broader mandate of delivering structured, impactful, and accountable youth development initiatives across the country.
I remain grateful for this recognition and the continued partnership in building stronger leadership capacity for national development. Thank you, NIM.
Today, I joined sons and daughters of Akure at the Akure-Speaking Communities’ Development Summit 2026 with a simple message: the future of Akure is a responsibility we all share.
Government must do its part, but we must also ask ourselves: what are we doing for our own community? This is the spirit behind my support for the Light Up Akure Project, because we should not only complain about darkness when we can help provide light.
I also spoke directly to my fellow young people: our contribution to Akure must go beyond politics, support for politicians and arguments on social media. We can do more. Our success should be measured by how our individual progress contributes to collective progress.
The future we seek is a smart, inclusive and progressive Akure-speaking community where no one is forgotten; where young people have a voice, women have opportunities, elders are respected, businesses grow, streets are safe, the environment is clean, and development reaches every part of our communities.
Indeed, working together, I believe we can build a future of greater progress and greater glory for Akure land.
Today, I had the pleasure of receiving the Future Assured Excellence Award from Future Assured with Tinubu. I am grateful for the recognition, which I see as further encouragement to keep working for the growth, inclusion and progress of young Nigerians.
I also received the team from Octoville Development Company Limited for a useful discussion on areas of shared interest. Every engagement is an opportunity to listen, build partnerships and explore practical ideas that can open more doors for Nigerian youth.
#RenewedHope