A pan-Yoruba youth organisation, the Oodua Youth Coalition (OYC), has commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, for his efforts in strengthening youth participation and welfare in Nigeria. The coalition described the minister's initiatives as a significant contribution to the national conversation on youth development. According to OYC, the future of Nigeria depends on empowering its young population to contribute to nation-building. The organisation emphasised the need for policy consistency to achieve national development.
The OYC highlighted several initiatives, including the National Youth Confab, reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and the introduction of YouthCred and the Youth Information Centre. These initiatives aim to build a more responsive and opportunity-driven youth development system. The coalition stated that sustained institutional support and effective implementation are crucial to ensure the benefits of these initiatives reach young Nigerians across the country.
The National Youth Confab 2026 was identified as a significant development in Nigeria's youth engagement landscape. The OYC commended Minister Olawande's leadership in bringing young Nigerians together to discuss issues affecting their future and the country's future. The confab provides an opportunity for youth voices to be elevated and for constructive dialogue to take place.
The OYC emphasised that the success of the National Youth Confab will depend on how effectively its recommendations are translated into policies, programmes, and measurable outcomes. The organisation urged sustained attention to implementation to ensure tangible results from the time, ideas, and expectations invested in the process.
The coalition also highlighted the importance of improving corps members' welfare, including their safety, professional development, and transition into employment or entrepreneurship after national service. OYC encouraged further reforms to strengthen these areas, which are crucial for youth-centred governance.
The OYC stressed that meaningful national development requires consistency in policies, institutional stability, and sustained implementation of programmes that demonstrate potential to improve people's lives. The organisation declared its institutional support for Minister Olawande and encouraged all relevant institutions to provide backing for programmes that can deliver benefits to Nigerian youths.
The OYC called on international development partners, investors, and youth-focused organisations to deepen their engagement with Nigeria in areas such as vocational education, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, access to finance, leadership development, and job creation. The organisation believes that Nigeria's youthful population represents an enormous opportunity for economic transformation, but this opportunity must be supported by practical investments and inclusive policies.
Key points
- OYC commends Minister Ayodele Olawande for youth development initiatives
- Initiatives aim to strengthen youth participation and welfare in Nigeria
- Policy consistency crucial for national development
