Vice President Kashim Shettima (3rd right); Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of Economy, Wale Edun (2nd right); Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (right); one of the beneficiaries of Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) start-up grant, Emmanuel Oriesie Innocent (3rd left); Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande (2nd left) and Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, at the official launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy in Abuja, yesterday
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has announced the Federal Government’s plan to create five million jobs for the youths. The initiative, according to the minister, was designed to tackle youths’ unemployment and equip young Nigerians with the necessary skills for economic empowerment.
Speaking during a television interview, he emphasised that the programme would be driven through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital training platform aimed at empowering over seven million youths in two years. He highlighted that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had set up strategic programmes like the Labour Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme (LEEP) to facilitate job creation and skills development.
“This initiative is not just a promise; it is a practical step towards ensuring that the youths have access to sustainable employment opportunities,” the minister stated. He urged young people to leverage the platform for training in entrepreneurship, digital technology and vocational skills.
The five million jobs initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to boost productivity and economic growth. Olawande assured that with proper implementation, the programme would significantly reduce unemployment, drive innovation and empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.