The Federal Ministry of Youth Development reaffirmed its leadership in shaping the future of young Nigerians as it welcomed global leaders, partners, and youth delegates to the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Forum 2025 in Lagos. The event positioned Nigeria as a central hub for global conversations on youth development and innovation.
In his address, the Hon. Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, celebrated the gathering as a milestone for the Ministry and the nation. He described Nigeria as a youthful and dynamic country where the energy, creativity, and resilience of young people continue to inspire progress across every sector. He emphasised that the Ministry remains committed to ensuring that every young Nigerian has equal access to the tools, platforms, and support required to fulfil their potential.
Under the visionary leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the FMYD has launched a series of bold and transformative programmes tailored to equip the next generation of innovators and leaders. These include the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), NiYA StartUp, the Youth HelpDesk, YouthCred, InnovateNaija, NELFUND, SkillUp Artisans, the 3MTT programme, and Digital Literacy for All. The Minister noted that each of these initiatives was designed by the Ministry to remove barriers, unlock opportunities, and empower young people through skills development, financial access, mentorship, and digital capacity building.
The Ministry has also expanded its global footprint through high-value partnerships with organisations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the European Union, Generation Unlimited, UAE Digital School, GITEX Global, Solana Africa, and other international bodies. These collaborations strengthen the Ministry’s mandate to broaden opportunities for youth in tech, entrepreneurship, and informal sector development, while ensuring that Nigerian youth are fully integrated into global innovation ecosystems.
The Minister highlighted the deep alignment between the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and the Ministry’s youth development agenda. He noted that the Award’s commitment to building skills, service, resilience, teamwork, leadership, and community mirrors the core principles at the heart of FMYD’s programmes and policies. Through this partnership, the Ministry aims to give more young Nigerians access to impactful, character-building experiences that prepare them for global citizenship.
As Nigeria strengthens its collaboration with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, the FMYD is calling on the global community to work alongside the Ministry to advance shared goals. The Minister reiterated that increased investment and partnerships can help the Ministry close digital gaps, deepen innovation, and expand the avenues through which young Nigerians can contribute to national and global development.
Hosting the 2025 Forum stands as a testament to the Ministry’s commitment to youth empowerment. It signals a renewed dedication to building systems, policies, and partnerships that place young people at the centre of Nigeria’s national transformation.