The Nigerian government has embarked on a comprehensive and proactive approach to tackle the challenges confronting the nation’s young population by initiating a thorough review of the youth development policy.
During an interactive session with key stakeholders from all 36 states in Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, unveiled this strategic move.
Themed ‘Leadership and Public Policy: Grassroot Mobilisers – The Challenges and Remedies through Remodelling’, the session underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to youth development.
Dr. Ibrahim stressed the importance of soliciting input from all critical stakeholders before presenting the draft of the Youth Development Policy to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval. The government aims to engage all relevant parties in establishing sustainable solutions to prevalent issues, particularly by ensuring accessible financial resources for the younger generation, meaningful youth inclusion, and addressing the needs of individuals with special requirements.
“We cannot progress without a comprehensive youth development policy. Upon our arrival, we encountered an outdated policy, prompting us to devise programmes and initiatives that actively engage young people and allow them to influence policy decisions.”
“The current administration is committed to fostering trust between young people and the government. To achieve this synergy, we must wholeheartedly be committed to delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Initiatives” as promised,” she stated.
Hon. Abbah Isah, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on People with Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, highlighted that 40 percent of Nigerian youth living with disabilities encounter significant hardships, including limited access to basic social amenities, economic instability leading to financial hardship, and inadequate healthcare services. He further outlined the daily challenges faced by this demographic.
Moreover, Abbah expressed gratitude for Mr. President’s steadfast commitment to ensuring that all segments of society receive the requisite support and attention within the framework of the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of his administration.
In his concluding remarks, the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, extended appreciation to the participants and affirmed that the interactive session would be an ongoing engagement with critical stakeholders nationwide.