UN commends Nigeria’s youth activities dashboard, says innovative tracking tool key to youth development

The Federal Government (FG) and the United Nations (UN) are set to revolutionise youth development through the Youth Activities Dashboard (YAD)—a digital tool designed to monitor, track, and enhance youth initiatives nationwide.

At a high-level meeting, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Olawande Ayodele, joined by Dr Titilope Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), met with the UN Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, alongside representatives from UNFPA, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, ILO, and other UN agencies to discuss the tool’s potential impact and implementation.

The Minister of Youth Development, Olawande, stressed the importance of other ministries coordinating with the Ministry of Youth Development. He said that without coordination, the pace of youth development would not be impressive.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to youth development in Nigeria. It is part of his core agenda. This is why we have proposed innovative initiatives such as the Youth Activities Dashboard, to help us understand what is being done and by whom in the youth ecosystem, for better coordination,” he said.

According to Gbadamosi, the YAD is set to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency, ensuring that youth programmes align with national priorities and global commitments like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She revealed that it will provide real-time data to measure impact, identify gaps, and optimise resource allocation.

Dr Gbadamosi emphasised that the dashboard will bridge critical gaps in youth programmes’ implementation by providing actionable insights for stakeholders.

“The Youth Activities Dashboard is more than just a monitoring tool—it’s a roadmap for meaningful impact. With real-time data, we can ensure that every youth-focused initiative is strategic, measurable, and aligned with national development goals,” she stated.

In response to the dashboard’s presentation, UN Resident Coordinator, Mohammed Fall, underscored the importance of data in youth development, particularly in Nigeria, which has one of the largest youth populations globally.

According to him, “This tool will enhance efficiency, ensuring youth programmes are not just well-funded but also effective. It will help track spending, measure real impact, and ensure no young person is left behind,” Fall stated.

He also stressed the need for accelerated efforts towards the SDGs, given the challenges posed by COVID-19, conflicts, and climate change.

“We must act swiftly. Young people are not just beneficiaries of development—they are key drivers of progress. With tools like YAD, we can empower them to lead, innovate, and create sustainable change,” he added.

The Youth Activities Dashboard is poised to become a transformative tool, fostering stronger collaboration between government agencies, development partners, and international organisations to drive sustainable youth empowerment in Nigeria.

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE