The Federal Government has disclosed plans to empower Nigerian youths in rural communities to create jobs and wealth locally as part of efforts to strengthen peace and security across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, revealed this while receiving the 2026 National Youth Security Emblem presented by the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
According to the Minister, youth empowerment at the community level is critical to addressing insecurity and building long-term stability in Nigeria. He noted that when young people are meaningfully engaged in productive activities within their communities, they become key contributors to peace and development.
“The Federal Government remains committed to empowering young people as critical stakeholders in promoting peace and security across Nigeria,” Olawande said.
He explained that one of the challenges facing many rural communities is the continuous migration of young people to major cities in search of opportunities.
“Many young people migrate from rural communities to cities like Abuja looking for better opportunities. However, the absence of productive engagement often exposes them to negative influences,” the Minister stated.
To address this, the government is focusing on helping young people identify economic opportunities within their local communities and turn them into viable sources of income.
Olawande emphasized that many communities across Nigeria possess valuable but underutilized resources that can be developed into businesses capable of creating employment and wealth for young people.
“Communities possess numerous untapped resources capable of creating wealth and fostering economic independence for young people if properly utilized,” he said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of collaboration between youth groups, government institutions, and international partners to drive youth-focused peacebuilding initiatives.
He noted that the Ministry of Youth Development, with support from development partners such as the European Union, continues to promote programs designed to empower young people to serve as ambassadors of peace and stability in their communities.
Olawande further encouraged youth organizations to align their activities with the Ministry’s strategic framework, particularly through the Department of Networks and Social Mobilization (NSM), which supports youth mobilization and community engagement across the country.
