The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has revealed that the Federal Government has equipped 239,726 Nigerian youths with digital, employability, and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).
The minister made this known in Abuja while delivering his address at the commemoration of International Youth Day 2026, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Omolara Esan, in Abuja.
Olawande said the achievement underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to equipping young Nigerians with relevant skills, expanding access to economic opportunities, and creating pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods.
He explained that through NiYA, the Ministry is providing young people with practical knowledge and skills required to navigate the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities.
“Through NiYA, we are equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to navigate the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities,” the minister said.
Olawande further disclosed that 1,215,203 certificates have been downloaded from the NiYA platform, describing the figure as evidence of the increasing engagement of young Nigerians with the learning and development opportunities provided through the Academy.
According to him, the growing number of certificate downloads reflects the determination of young Nigerians to acquire new skills and improve their employability and prospects.
The minister also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to support youth entrepreneurship through NiYA StartUp, revealing that 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, particularly through improved access to capital, business development support 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 added.
The Minister said the initiatives were part of the federal government’s broader strategy to position Nigerian youths as active participants in national development and to ensure that skills acquisition translates into tangible economic opportunities.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, commended the resilience, creativity, and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths, stressing the need for sustained investment in youth development.
She called for 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 are inclusive, sustainable and responsive to emerging needs.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General [Name], represented by Chief Chienwedu Chukwu, 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, underscored the importance of strategic partnerships in creating sustainable opportunities for young people, particularly in the areas of 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 remains critical to Nigeria’s development.