The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youths through strategic collaboration with key sectors of the economy, particularly the tourism industry.

The minister emphasised the need to involve young Nigerians in vital sectors such as entertainment, the creative industries, sports, education, agriculture, and tourism.

Olawande disclosed this while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.

According to him, these sectors offer significant opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods for Nigeria’s rapidly expanding youth population.

In a statement by Omolara Esan, the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, the minister described tourism as a sector with immense potential for youth involvement and economic diversification.

He emphasised that many young Nigerians have yet to fully realise the economic value inherent in their cultures and communities, which can be utilised through structured tourism development.

The minister reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to promote talent development, enhance youth entrepreneurship, and foster investment and economic exchange opportunities for young Nigerians.

He also highlighted the importance of strong inter-ministerial cooperation and institutional partnerships in maximising impact. The Ministry, he said, will continue to work closely with relevant government agencies and organisations to ensure youth empowerment initiatives are aligned with national development priorities.

He explained that the initiative will include institutions such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to broaden opportunities for youth participation across various sectors.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, observed that many young Nigerians remain unaware of the numerous opportunities embedded within the country’s rich cultural heritage and tourism assets.

She stated that unlocking these opportunities would not only create pathways for youth entrepreneurship but also position Nigeria as a prominent global tourism destination.

Additionally, speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Dr. Ola Awakan, stressed that youth participation will be central to transforming the tourism sector. He described Nigeria as a “microcosm of stories,” abundant in culture, arts, traditions, and heritage that remain largely underutilised.

According to him, leveraging these stories and cultural assets will not only attract local and international tourists but also generate sustainable opportunities across the tourism value chain, including hospitality, culinary tourism, cultural heritage, entertainment, and the creative industries.

Dr. Awakan also emphasised the vital role of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority in fostering the sector’s growth through its main mandates of marketing Nigeria as a tourist destination, promoting and developing tourist sites, and regulating tourism activities at the federal level.