FG, NIYEEDEP to create 20 million jobs for youths

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a plan to create 20 million jobs for youths over the next 24 months.

This initiative is part of the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalisation Programme (NIYEEDEP), a pro-youth socio-economic intervention scheme.

Speaking at the public unveiling of the NIYEEDEP Plan of Action for 2025/2027, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, emphasised the need for youths to align with the government in building a healthy and safe Nigeria.

He acknowledged the current economic challenges faced by youths but encouraged them to proffer solutions and position themselves as agents of positive change.

According to him, the NIYEEDEP plan aims to create jobs through entrepreneurship revolution in key sectors such as agriculture, technology, entertainment, and renewable energy.

He added the “Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Scheme” under the programme is one of the entrepreneurship interventions designed to create 12 million youth farmers in 24 months, adding it will commence on December 9.

He stated that this will ensure mass youth employment, poverty alleviation, adequate food production, food security and food self-sufficiency through value chain agri-food entrepreneurship.

The minister noted that the fight against youth unemployment, hunger, and extreme poverty can be won through the effective implementation of NIYEEDEP.

He advised youths to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by the programme to achieve economic self-emancipation.

Olawande urged the youths to align with the government of President Bola Tinubu, in the collective efforts towards building a healthy and safe Nigeria.

The minister also unveiled other entrepreneurship interventions, including Food4All Initiative, Waste2Wealth, Arts4Money, Tech4Jobs, Skills2Jobs, Mentee2CEO and National Unity Cup Football Tournament, among others.

Coordinator-General of NIYEEDEP, Comrade Kennedy commended the minister and other stakeholders for their support.

He stressed the need for youths to come together and drive the socio-economic transformation movement.

He noted NIYEEDEP initiative is a significant step towards addressing the economic challenges faced by Nigerian youths.

“With its focus on entrepreneurship, job creation, and skills development, NIYEEDEP has the potential to transform the lives of millions of youths and contribute to the country’s economic growth and development.”

On her part, Director of Corporate Communication of NIYEEDEP, Ifeoma Agbomah stressed the need for youths to utilise the economic opportunities offered by NIYEEDEP.

“NIYEEDEP is a strategic economic engagement platform whose implementation will help to reduce youth unemployment, eradicate hunger and achieve food insecurity.”

She added that the ‘Youth Farmers’ Cooperative Scheme’ will be driven on the basis of ‘Operation Feed Your Local Government.’