Minister highlights FG’s youth initiatives at YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Rwanda

Honorable Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called on African Youth Ministers to adopt a comprehensive and practical approach to youth development.

Speaking at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, the Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, outlined the various youth-focused initiatives introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to empower and uplift Nigerian youth.

At the summit, Mr. Olusanya participated in a Ministerial roundtable on financing access for rural youth entrepreneurs, engaging with fellow youth ministers from across Africa to share insights and propose solutions to key challenges facing young people. The session underscored Nigeria’s commitment to fostering youth employment, entrepreneurship, and leadership across the continent.

Additionally, he emphasized Nigeria’s dedication to youth growth both within the country and across Africa, encouraging youth leaders at the summit to adopt the “One Youth, Two Skills” mantra championed by Nigeria’s Youth Minister. This initiative aims to create a generation of skilled youth capable of driving growth and development throughout Africa.

The Permanent Secretary noted that equipping young people with diverse skills would enhance productivity and enable African youth to compete more effectively on the global stage.

Nigeria, which joined YouthConnekt as the 32nd member state in 2022, remains committed to establishing a YouthConnekt Hub to promote sustainable youth development and strengthen continental collaboration.