The Federal Government plans to create about three million jobs annually for young people in the coming years. This target was announced at the launch of the Youth Policy Dialogue Series in Abuja, organised by CoSPAL and the Legislative Mentorship Initiative. The event focused on improving implementation of the National Youth Policy.

Henry Nwawuba, head of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, said job creation is central to the government's youth development strategy. He cited agriculture, technology, security, and innovation as sectors with expanding opportunities. Nwawuba noted that despite the existence of the National Youth Policy, many youths remain unaware of it or unable to benefit. He urged better communication and stronger laws to improve access to programmes.

Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General of CoSPAL, described Nigeria's youth population as a strategic advantage if properly supported. He called for improved infrastructure and resource access to enable youth contribution to national development. Oyewole commended the Ministry of Youth Development for backing youth-focused initiatives and stressed collective action among government, civil society, and young people.

Aliyu Idris Zakari, Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, proposed raising the NYSC age limit from 29 to between 33 and 35. He said this would accommodate graduates delayed by economic challenges. Zakari also urged adjusting age requirements for government jobs and reserved youth political roles for those aged 18 to 35 to ensure authentic representation.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The same government that struggles to fill existing youth job quotas now promises three million new jobs yearly, a figure unconnected to current employment rates or budget allocations. Yet no timeline, funding plan, or implementation framework was provided to show how this target will be met. If the National Youth Policy remains poorly communicated and underfunded, the promise of millions of jobs risks becoming another unmet expectation for young Nigerians. The call for age limit adjustments, while practical, does not address the deeper issue of whether these roles will be meaningful or merely symbolic.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →