The Federal Government has set a new agenda for the Ministry of Youth Development, directing its management and staff to move beyond organising programmes to delivering measurable results that improve the lives of Nigerian youths.
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Wednesday in Abuja while declaring open the Ministry’s Management Retreat, with the theme, “Consolidating Youth Development Priorities: Delivering Results, Strengthening Partnerships, and Expanding Impact.”
Olawande said the theme reflected the Ministry’s commitment to sharpening its priorities, strengthening strategic partnerships and expanding the impact of its interventions across the country.
He said every policy, programme, expenditure and partnership of the Ministry must ultimately answer the question: “What difference are we making in the lives of Nigerian youth?”
According to him, the Ministry’s performance should be measured by tangible outcomes such as jobs created, businesses established, skills acquired and improved access to funding and markets.
The minister also identified the recently launched National Youth Data Bank as a critical tool for strengthening evidence-based decision-making, policy formulation, and the design and implementation of youth development programmes.
He called for stronger and more result-oriented partnerships, urging the Ministry to assess collaborations based on their contribution to job creation, skills development, entrepreneurship and other opportunities for young people.
Olawande further tasked the Ministry’s departments and agencies with improving coordination, stressing that “planning must connect with budgeting, budgeting with action, and action must produce measurable results.”
He said the retreat should produce clear decisions on priorities, responsibilities, timelines, partnerships and measurable indicators of success.
The minister urged participants to openly identify existing gaps and agree on practical solutions, stressing that the Ministry must build an institution that listens, responds, works collaboratively and takes responsibility for its results.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Maryam Keshinro, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Olaniepekun Adebayo, said the retreat provided an opportunity for the Ministry to review its performance, identify gaps and develop practical measures for delivering better results for Nigerian youths.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to collaborating with the Ministry, particularly in the areas of skills acquisition, entrepreneurship and the productive engagement of Nigerian youths.
Representing the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Ms Rinsola Abiola, Marshal Adiole stressed the importance of strategic planning, effective monitoring and evidence-based decision-making in advancing youth development initiatives.
Similarly, the representative of the Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Ms Sharon Dimanche, A’isha Dahiru, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in promoting opportunities, inclusion and sustainable development for young people.
Also speaking, Ogo Ifeoma Akabogu, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr Olasupo Olusi, said the bank remained committed to supporting youth entrepreneurship, improving access to finance and promoting the growth of youth-led businesses.
The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon Aliyu Idris Zakari, stressed the need for meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making, while commending the Ministry’s efforts to advance youth development.
The annual retreat was attended by directors, heads of units and other management staff of the Ministry.
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