FG Equips 239,726 Nigerian Youths With Skills Through NiYA — Olawande

The Federal Government has equipped 239,726 Nigerian youths with digital, employability and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has disclosed.

Olawande made this known in Abuja while speaking at the commemoration of International Youth Day 2026, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

He said the achievement reflected the government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills, expanding access to economic opportunities and creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods.

The minister said NiYA was designed to provide young people with practical knowledge and skills to navigate the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

He disclosed that 1,215,203 certificates had been downloaded from the NiYA platform, describing the figure as evidence of growing engagement by young Nigerians with skills development opportunities.

Olawande also highlighted the ministry’s support for youth entrepreneurship through NiYA StartUp, saying 200 young business owners had received ₦1 million each, while another 200 young people operating in the informal sector had received ₦500,000 each to strengthen their businesses.

He added that the ministry’s partnership with Cascador Founders would provide additional support to selected young entrepreneurs on the NiYA platform, including improved access to capital, business development assistance and opportunities for enterprise growth.

“Our commitment is to ensure that young Nigerians do not only acquire skills but also have access to the opportunities and support they need to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses,” Olawande said.

He said the initiatives formed part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to position young Nigerians as active participants in national development and ensure that skills acquisition translated into tangible economic opportunities.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, commended the resilience, creativity and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths, calling for sustained investment in youth development.

She urged stronger collaboration among government institutions, development partners, the private sector and youth-led organisations to expand opportunities for young Nigerians and ensure that youth-focused interventions remained inclusive, sustainable and responsive to emerging needs.

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, represented by Chief Chienwedu Chukwu, also reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to supporting initiatives that equip young Nigerians with relevant skills and prepare them for meaningful contributions to national development.

The Head of Programme, GIZ Centres for Migration and Nigerian Diaspora Matters, Sandra Vermuijten, stressed the importance of strategic partnerships in creating sustainable opportunities for young people, particularly in skills development, employment and migration-related interventions.

In his welcome address, CDS President Okpalaji Cheta Byron, expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and other stakeholders for providing platforms that promote youth empowerment, inclusion and participation, noting that meaningful youth engagement remained critical to Nigeria’s development.