The Federal Government has taken a decisive step to formalise youth work as a recognised profession in Nigeria. This development is expected to boost job creation, human capital development, and social engagement for young people across the country.
The move is being led by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with Yakubu Gowon University, the Nigeria Youth Workers Association (NYWA), and other key stakeholders. It follows the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and aligns with the resolutions of the National Council on Youth Development, held in Maiduguri in December 2024. During that meeting, stakeholders endorsed the urgent need for the professionalisation of youth work in Nigeria.
A workshop organised to launch this historic initiative took place at Yakubu Gowon University. The theme of the event was “The Nexus between Professionalisation of Youth Work and the Demographic Dividends.”
In his remarks at the workshop, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, stressed the importance of following global best practices. He referenced countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where youth work is a structured profession with established qualifications, regulatory bodies, and clear career pathways.
“In the UK, for instance, professional youth workers are equipped to deliver targeted interventions that enhance young people’s learning, mental well-being, and social engagement,” Olawande said.
He explained that countries like Canada and Australia have put in place strong frameworks to ensure that youth workers are well-trained to meet the diverse needs of young people.
“These successes didn’t happen by chance; they are results of deliberate investments in the people who work with youth,” he added.
Olawande further stated that the professionalisation of youth work in Nigeria would be built on three core pillars. These include professional ethics, standards, and competency; academic pathways for human capital development; and robust regulatory frameworks.
The Minister also signed up for the course himself as a way of showing commitment to the initiative. He will be among the pioneer students of the programme, which will adopt and adapt the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Diploma in Youth Work training modules.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, also addressed the gathering. He pointed out that the contributions of youth workers in Nigeria have long been undervalued due to the absence of formal structures.
“The Ministry is now taking deliberate steps to fill this gap by creating frameworks that will elevate youth workers into certified and competent professionals,” Olusanya stated.
He explained that this process would not only improve recognition for youth workers but also significantly enhance the quality of youth development efforts across Nigeria.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Patricia Lar, also praised the Ministry and NYWA for their efforts and consistent advocacy.
She said, “This initiative marks a significant milestone in the convergence of policy, academia, and practice.”
Prof. Lar further revealed that the official launch of the professionalisation framework would follow a high-level meeting aimed at consolidating efforts and building national consensus.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, stressed that the new initiative aims to institutionalise the contributions of youth workers. He explained that it would establish clear frameworks, professional standards, and academic pathways to formally ground youth work within a specialised area of practice and scholarship.
Read Also: NDE Set to Roll Out Second Phase of Renewed Hope Empowerment Initiative