August 19, 2025 – The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has officially launched the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative (CEYEI) in Abuja, in partnership with SAMU Technology and the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN).
The programme is designed to address unemployment, strengthen economic growth, and promote environmental sustainability across the country.
Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, explained that the initiative is not just about creating jobs but about shaping a new generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
He noted that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes empowering young people and building an inclusive and greener economy.
“At the heart of the initiative is the flagship Waste to Wealth Project, which seeks to transform waste into valuable, eco-friendly products while creating sustainable green jobs for Nigerian youth. Through this programme, young people will gain practical skills, mentorship, and access to green technologies, along with opportunities to showcase their innovations in both local and international markets. A dedicated Waste to Wealth online platform has also been launched to serve as a hub for registration, networking, investment access, and market expansion,” Olawande stated.
The Minister further highlighted other complementary projects of the Ministry. These include the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), which focuses on youth protection and capacity-building; ongoing digital literacy initiatives in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA); and the creation of “YO! Health,” a new mental health and wellness hub for young Nigerians.
He also announced the Youth Cred Scheme in partnership with CrediCorp, aimed at expanding access to loans for young people. According to him, this scheme will lay the groundwork for a Youth Bank, an MSME Incubator, and a National Innovation Hub.
Olawande added that reforms of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are also underway to ensure the programme reflects the needs and aspirations of today’s Generation Z and Millennial populations.
He emphasized that CEYEI will be implemented across all 36 states and more than 774 local government areas, with inclusivity at the core of its design, providing equal access to opportunities for young people nationwide.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Hon. Yusuf Sununu, acknowledged Nigeria’s ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting over three million people, alongside a global funding gap of 36 billion dollars.
He called on stakeholders to support youth-led waste-to-wealth projects, stressing that such initiatives can create jobs, reduce poverty, and boost national resilience.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, also spoke at the event. He described CEYEI as a platform created to harness the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian youth.
According to him, the initiative will give young people the tools to turn discarded materials into sustainable means of livelihood, thereby contributing to long-term growth.
Blessing Ekwere, representing the President of the Recyclers Association of Nigeria, praised the initiative as a clear demonstration of Nigeria’s determination to position young people as drivers of change.
She noted that by focusing on recycling, reducing waste, and reusing resources, CEYEI will help lower carbon emissions, strengthen the circular economy, and empower young Nigerians to take the lead in climate action.