Minister, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, has appealed to Nigerian youths to take advantage of the N110 billion Youth Investment Fund instead of engaging in the proposed nationwide protest that may lead to widespread unrest and instability.

The Minister also reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to launching and implementing a comprehensive range of targeted youth employment programmes to tackle unemployment in the country.

Ibrahim, who made this admonition on Thursday in Abuja during a meeting with Special Advisers (SSAs) on Youth Development from the 36 states of the country, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu understands what they face at the subnational level.

Noting that the portal for the Restructured Youth Investment Fund of N110 billion will be accessible in the coming days, Ibrahim explained that the fund is designed to provide crucial support for businesses owned by young entrepreneurs who are currently experiencing financial challenges.

She said the fund aims to offer financial assistance, mentorship, and resources to help young people’s businesses overcome their struggles so that they can thrive.

“We are against the nationwide protest, we need peace, we need stability because the country has given us hope with the current administration’s initiatives for youths. If we go into crisis today, how can we actualize all these plans? We will implement the youth investment funds for the short-term intervention.

“We are working very hard so that the portal can be opened to allow young people to register to access the fund. When the portal is opened, we will continue to inform and guide young people on how to access the N110 billion committed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This fund will prioritize existing businesses. We understand that they are already established and have their clients. What they need is a little push to avoid sinking due to the current state of the economy,” she explained.

According to her, within one year, the current administration led by President Tinubu has achieved numerous milestones which include the approval of a 30 percent youth quota for government appointments, the implementation of the Presidential Initiatives on Youth Enterprise Clusters, the establishment of a 70,000 minimum wage for civil servants, the introduction of CNG buses to transport citizens, direct purchase and distribution of food items to the most vulnerable families across the nation, and plans to resume local production in refineries to reduce the cost of fuel, as well as the rehabilitation and commissioning of the Abuja Metro Stations.

In his remarks, Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President, Sunday Asefon, who led the delegation to the Minister, disclosed that the President has approved the establishment of a National Student Management Council (NSMC) to stand as a voice for Nigerian students at all state levels.

According to Asefon, the NSMC will work closely with governors of the 36 states of the federation, the ministries, and other development agencies working for the interest of Nigerian students to drive home their demands.

He added that the body will ensure that every policy and program of the federal government goes down to the grassroots, adding that the body has promised to work with the ministry to achieve the aims and objectives of the current administration.

Addressing another gathering with the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), the Minister disclosed that the Ministry has put in place programmes that are specifically designed to address the pressing issue of unemployment and as well bridge the significant employment gap among the country’s rapidly growing youth population.

She maintained that the programmes will also provide meaningful opportunities for young people to enter the workforce and contribute to Nigeria’s economy.