The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the nationwide registration of young Nigerians aged 15 to 35 under the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB). This initiative aims to create a comprehensive database of the country's youth population, enabling the government to connect them with employment, skills, and other opportunities. The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, launched the project in Abuja on September 30, 2026.
According to Minister Olawande, the NYDB is designed to capture young Nigerians across both formal and informal sectors, including those involved in agriculture, sports, creative industries, and technology. The database will provide valuable insights into the needs, skills, and locations of young Nigerians, allowing the government to improve the planning and implementation of youth development programmes. This initiative is a continuous government programme, not an electoral exercise.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of POGMA Nigeria Limited, Otunba Oluyinka Akerele, stated that registration points have been established in educational institutions and will be extended to local government areas and wards across the country. The exercise will cover youths in secondary schools, polytechnics, universities, and colleges of education, as well as young Nigerians working in the informal sector and those living in rural communities.
Enumerators will be deployed across the 774 local government areas to register young Nigerians, including those living in hard-to-reach communities. This approach ensures that the database does not focus only on youths within formal educational institutions or structured employment. Akerele urged young Nigerians to participate in the registration exercise, saying it will help the government identify them and connect them to available opportunities.
The 15 to 35 age bracket for the registration exercise is based on the Nigerian Youth Policy, which defines the youth population within that range. Akerele explained that the database will be regularly updated to accommodate Nigerians who attain the eligible age after the initial registration. This will ensure that the database remains comprehensive and up-to-date.
The Federal Government expects the National Youth Data Bank to provide a central source of information that can support the identification of young Nigerians and the design of programmes targeted at their skills, employment, and other development needs. The government aims to use the database to improve the lives of young Nigerians and promote their development.
The NYDB will provide answers to key questions about young Nigerians, including who they are, where they are, what skills they possess, and the opportunities they require. By achieving this, the government can better understand the needs of young Nigerians and develop effective programmes to support their growth and development.
Key points
- The Federal Government has started registering Nigerians aged 15 to 35 under the National Youth Data Bank.
- The database will provide valuable insights into the needs, skills, and locations of young Nigerians.
- The registration exercise will cover youths in educational institutions, informal sectors, and rural communities.
