Minister unveils 5m jobs initiative for youths

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has announced the Federal Government’s plan to create five million jobs for Nigerian youths.

He announced in an interview on Monday, on Channels Television’s programme, Politics Today.

The initiative, according to the minister, is designed to tackle youth unemployment and equip young Nigerians with the necessary skills for economic empowerment.

During the interview, Olawande emphasised that the programme would be driven through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital training platform aimed at empowering over seven million youths in two years.

He stated that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, had set up strategic programmes, like the Labour Employment and Entrepreneurship Programme (LEEP), to facilitate job creation and skill development.

“This initiative is not just a promise; it is a practical step towards ensuring Nigerian youths have access to sustainable employment opportunities,” the minister stated.

He urged young people to leverage the platform for training in entrepreneurship, digital technology, and vocational skills.

The five million jobs initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to boost productivity and economic growth.   Olawande said that with proper implementation, the programme would significantly reduce unemployment, drive innovation and empower young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.