The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, has called for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in achieving the ambitious target of creating 10 million jobs for the unemployed by 2027.
As part of this initiative, the Minister attended the prestigious Harvard Ministerial Leadership Forum 2024 at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The discussions focused on Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to reduce youth unemployment, promote public-private partnerships, and effectively implement the restructured National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters (PIYEC).
The overarching goal is to improve the socio-economic and political well-being of Nigerian youth by establishing a 30% youth quota in government positions and reducing youth unemployment from 35% to 15% over the next three years. This includes support for youth-led businesses through the National Youth Development Fund and the creation of 10 million job opportunities by 2027 through strategic skills development and partnerships under the newly launched National Youth Skills Programme (NYSP).
Dr. Ibrahim stressed the significance of global platforms in advancing Nigeria’s strategic objectives for youth development. She stated, “This forum provides an unparalleled opportunity to not only exchange transformative ideas but also to solidify actionable solutions that align with Nigeria’s national goals for youth empowerment, job creation, and leadership inclusion.”
The forum gathered ministers and global leaders to focus on transformative leadership and cross-sectoral collaboration aimed at addressing pressing developmental challenges worldwide.
The event commenced on Sunday, September 15, 2024, with an inspiring opening ceremony featuring notable leaders such as H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization and former Nigerian Minister of Finance.
Julio Frank, Chair of the Advisory Board for the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, delivered the welcome address, paving the way for a dynamic exchange of ideas.
Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados followed with a thought-provoking keynote speech titled “Leading to Make a Difference in Government: Achieving a Transformative Legacy.”
The Harvard Ministerial Leadership Forum focuses on critical areas of governance, including strategic human development, budgetary effectiveness, cross-sectoral collaboration, and effective policy implementation.
This year’s forum marks a significant milestone in advancing these objectives, offering key insights and partnerships that will drive the agenda for youth inclusion and empowerment in Nigeria.
