In a move to confront Nigeria’s growing youth development challenges, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development unveiled two major institutional reforms.
The unveiling comes ahead of the Youth Development Summit scheduled for 12 September 2025 in Abuja.
At a pre-summit meeting, the Ministry introduced the Department of Youth Education (Youth Ed) and the Department of Youth Health, Mental & Physiological Affairs (YHMPA) — two specialized bodies aimed at addressing systemic gaps in education, mental health, and youth wellbeing.
Two New Departments to Drive Structural Change
Youth Ed is tasked with overhauling access to education and aligning Nigeria’s learning systems with 21st-century skills, while YHMPA will focus on critical health issues affecting young Nigerians, including mental health, substance abuse, and physiological wellness.
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These departments are backed by over 35 national and international partners, coordinated through the Youth Ed Technical Working Group, comprising ministry directors and technical experts.
Minister Olawande: “This is a Launchpad for Change”
In his keynote at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the Youth Development Summit as a “launchpad for transformative change,” not only in Nigeria but across Africa, as the continent confronts rising unemployment, mental health crises, and limited opportunities for its youth.
“These new departments will not just exist in name — they will be catalysts for measurable impact,” Olawande said.
A Shift from Employment to Empowerment
With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 30, the Ministry is spearheading a new national agenda focused on: Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Human capital development.
The emphasis is on empowering youth to create jobs rather than rely solely on government or corporate employment.
International Allies & Youth Inclusion
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Prominent collaborators in the reforms include the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF), Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the African Union, Nigeria, the United Nations, and the World Health Organization.
These strategic alliances align Nigeria’s efforts with the African Union Youth Charter and broader continental goals for youth inclusion and empowerment.
Youth Voices in Health Policy
At the meeting, Isa Jafar, leader of the youth health delegation, raised concerns about the lack of youth representation in health policymaking despite their activism and contributions.
The Ministry announced that the upcoming Africa Youth Health Summit will provide a platform to formalize youth participation in health leadership and policy formulation across the continent — a first-of-its-kind initiative backed by Africa CDC and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Youth Development Summit
The Youth Development Summit will convene hundreds of stakeholders to finalize frameworks for these reforms.
It is expected to produce actionable, sustainable outcomes in education, health care, mental wellness, leadership, partnership frameworks, and institutional reforms — feeding into broader continental youth agendas and aligning with African Union priorities.
