Nigerian youth critical to attainment of SDGs — Minister

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said that the hope of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 would be a mirage without determined efforts to empower young people in the country to take the lead in actualising the goals.

Olawande argued that youths in the country comprise over 70 per cent of the nation’s population, a huge resource, he noted had been neglected for over 40 years without a sense of government.

He spoke on Tuesday at a ceremony marking the 2025 International Youth Day celebration with the theme: “Local Youth Actions for SDGS and Beyond”.

He highlighted the energy, creativity, and leadership of young people needed to drive key recommendations of the SDGs.

While stressing the need to harness the potential of youth for the sustainable development of the country, Olawande said, thankfully, youth in Nigeria are already leading change in agriculture, health, education, renewable energy, and digital technology.

He, therefore, called on relevant stakeholders, partners in the private sector, donor community, and civil society to make long-term commitments to youth-led innovation, while ensuring that youth voices are central to decisions in government, business, and development.

The Minister said: “We need to keep congratulating ourselves, but also sympathise with all the young people. Youth in Nigeria are workaholics. We have a goal that should have been done before now, which is to have a very befitting, creative, wonderful environment.

“For over 40 years, we’ve been ruling; that is why the government is so far away from the youth. But for the first time in the history of this country, the reputable leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has given the ministry back to the young people.”

Olawande emphasised that the theme of the celebration, ‘Local Youth Actions for SDGS and Beyond’, speaks to the urgent need to equip youth with the skills they need today and the creativity and vision to handle future challenges after 2030.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, in his remark, said the gathering was not only to commemorate a global occasion but also to spotlight the extraordinary impact of young people, those driving change at the grassroots, transforming communities, shaping national progress, and contributing meaningfully to global development.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Hon. Sunday Asefon, said the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised youth and students in his development agenda deliberately to bridge the gaps between young people and the government, saying this was also reflected in his appointments.

He commended Olawande for championing the cause of the young people in the country, saying President Tinubu would continue to provide the needed support and advance the development of youth and students in Nigeria.

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