The Federal Government has trained 239,726 young Nigerians in digital, employability and practical skills through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has disclosed.
Olawande made the disclosure on Wednesday in Abuja during activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day, held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
According to the minister, the initiative is aimed at preparing young Nigerians for the changing labour market while improving their access to jobs, entrepreneurship and sustainable sources of income.
“Through NiYA, we are equipping our young people with the practical skills they need to navigate the changing world of work and take advantage of emerging opportunities,” the minister said.
He also revealed that 1,215,203 certificates had been downloaded through the NiYA platform, describing the figure as a reflection of the growing interest of young Nigerians in skills development and learning opportunities provided by the academy.
Olawande said the rising number of certificate downloads demonstrated the willingness of youths to develop new competencies and enhance their chances of securing employment.
Beyond training, he said the government was providing financial support to young entrepreneurs through the NiYA StartUp initiative.
He disclosed that 200 young business owners had received N1 million each, while another 200 youths in the informal sector had been given N500,000 each to boost their businesses.
The minister added that the ministry’s partnership with Cascador Founders would further support selected entrepreneurs on the NiYA platform through access to funding, business development assistance and opportunities to expand their enterprises.
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“Our commitment is to ensure that young Nigerians do not only acquire skills but also have access to the opportunities and support they need to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses,” Olawande added.
He said the interventions formed part of the Federal Government’s wider plan to make young Nigerians key contributors to national development by ensuring that skills training leads to real economic opportunities.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development ,Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, advocated continued investment in programmes targeted at young people.
Keshinro praised Nigerian youths for their resilience, creativity and resourcefulness, while calling for stronger cooperation between government agencies, development partners, the private sector and youth-led organisations.
She noted that greater collaboration would help broaden opportunities for young Nigerians and make youth-focused programmes more inclusive, sustainable and responsive to emerging challenges.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General [Name], represented by Chief Chienwedu Chukwu, reaffirmed the NYSC’s commitment to programmes that equip young Nigerians with relevant skills and prepare them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Head of Programme, GIZ Centres for Migration and Nigerian Diaspora Matters, Sandra Vermuijten, also highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships in creating lasting opportunities for youths, particularly in skills acquisition, employment and migration-related programmes.
In his welcome address, CDS President, Okpalaji Cheta Byron, thanked the ministry and other stakeholders for creating platforms that promote youth empowerment, inclusion and participation.
He maintained that meaningful engagement with young Nigerians remained essential to the country’s development.