The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said Nigeria’s youthful population remains a critical driver of innovation, enterprise and economic transformation.

The minister said that the Ministry is intensifying efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem through human capital development, mentorship expansion, and sustainable financing frameworks that enable young people to build and scale viable enterprises.

Olawande disclosed this in Abuja, while receiving participants of Senior Executive Course 48 (SEC 48) of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) on a study visit to the Ministry.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, the minister said the Ministry was honoured to host the participants, commending NIPSS for its sustained role in shaping visionary leaders and advancing strategic policy thinking in Nigeria.

He noted that the theme of the course, which focuses on economic diversification and national development, aligns with the priorities of the current administration, stressing that sustainable growth can only be achieved by unlocking the immense potential of young Nigerians.

Olawande said: “The focus of your study on economic diversification and national development is both timely and aligned with the priorities of this administration. We firmly believe that the pathway to sustainable national growth lies in unlocking the immense potential of our young people.

“Nigeria’s youth population represents not only a demographic advantage but also a strategic asset for innovation, enterprise, and economic transformation.”

He explained that the Ministry has continued to champion policies and programmes aimed at empowering youths through entrepreneurship, digital innovation, skills development, and access to finance.

He added, “Our flagship initiatives are designed to move young people from the margins of economic participation to the centre of productivity and wealth creation.”

Earlier, the Director-General of NIPSS, Ayo Omotayo, represented by the Director of Research, Prof Musa Emmanuel, said the Institute remains Nigeria’s apex think tank established in 1979 to address leadership gaps across sectors.

He noted that the Ministry of Youth Development is central to the study, given the critical role of young people in driving entrepreneurship and the Orange Economy.

He explained that the Senior Executive Course is a 10-month residential programme that brings together participants from diverse sectors to deliberate on critical national issues and propose practical solutions

He said: “We consider this Ministry pivotal to discussions around the Orange Economy and entrepreneurship. It is impossible to meaningfully discuss these themes without focusing on the youth, which makes your Ministry central to our study.

“Our visit is therefore to interact and deepen our understanding of the policies and programmes being implemented in this regard. This engagement will enrich our analysis and help us develop well-informed recommendations, which will ultimately be presented to Mr. President and the Federal Executive Council.”

He disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had mandated participants of SEC 48 to undertake a study on “The Orange Economy and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Growth in Nigeria.”

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, represented by Dr. Anthony Chukwuka, reiterated that the Ministry’s programmes are designed to transition Nigerian youths from job seekers to job creators through targeted interventions in entrepreneurship, digital skills and access to finance.