The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said the Federal Government will empower 7 million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills in the next two years.
The minister said this would lead to the creation of millions of jobs.
Olawande announced this at the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference 2025, organised by his ministry in collaboration with the National Defence College (NDC) to equip young Nigerians with contemporary knowledge in digital and professional education.
The minister described the conference as a strategic thinking and leadership tool to become proactive agents of national development.
He assured the participants that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is set to position Nigerians in the global talent of digital literacy by ensuring effective youth participation in the global digital economy in outlining key strategies for youth development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Olawande said these include the Nigerian Youth Academy and the National Learning Platform.
He said: “At this point, let me mention the plan of our administration and our intent to build a pathway for our new development under the Nigerian Youth Academy. This national learning platform is targeted for seven million young Nigerians with digital and vocational skills, to also create doors of opportunities for millions of Nigerian youths by 2027.
“There are three entities which comprise a three-million technical talent programme that focuses on advancing digital skills, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
“The administration aims to achieve 70 per cent national digital literacy by 2027 to ensure effective youth participation in the global digital economy.”
The minister announced that the Federal Government has a labour and employment programme that targets 2.5 million jobs through enterprise training and employment matches. He emphasised the need to create the right environment for youths to gain mentorship, quality education, economic empowerment, and inclusive governance.
Olawande explained that the administration believes in a Nigeria where every young person has the opportunity to lead and contribute to national development. “The future of Nigeria is in the hands and minds of our young people today,” he said.
The minister described the energy, the creativity and the courage of Nigerian youths as the nation’s greatest national assets.
