The Federal Government has partnered with the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership Professionals Nigeria Limited to help young Nigerians turn research ideas into businesses and real economic opportunities across the country.
The partnership was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Abuja between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the institute, as part of efforts to unlock innovation and enterprise among Nigerian youth.
Dr Maryam Ismaila, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, described the agreement as a strategic move to transform youth-driven research and ideas into practical enterprises that contribute to national development.
She said Nigeria’s young population represents a major opportunity for innovation and economic progress.
“Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world,” she said, adding that many young Nigerians are already creating innovative solutions to real-world problems.
However, she noted that many of these ideas remain uncommercialised because young innovators often lack access to funding, mentorship, and the networks required to scale their solutions.
“Young Nigerians are generating brilliant ideas and developing innovative solutions to real-world challenges,” Ismaila said. “But many remain uncommercialised, underfunded or disconnected from pathways to transformation.”
To address this gap, the partnership will drive the Youth Innovate Naija Initiative, a programme designed to support young innovators and entrepreneurs.
According to Ismaila, the initiative will provide funding opportunities, mentorship, industry partnerships, and market access to help young Nigerians turn their ideas into sustainable enterprises.
“The partnership seeks to position Nigerian youth as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders,” she said, explaining that the programme will expand opportunities for young people across different sectors.
She added that the initiative would also connect youth innovators with experienced professionals and industry leaders who can guide them in developing viable businesses.
“The initiative will support young Nigerians in turning their ideas into reality,” she said, noting that mentorship and collaboration would play a major role in scaling innovations into successful enterprises.
The programme will also establish collaboration networks that bring together innovators, researchers, and industry experts to accelerate the commercialisation of research and ideas.
Ismaila emphasised that the broader aim is to empower young Nigerians to become drivers of economic transformation.
“The goal is to transform Nigeria’s youth into agents of change and economic growth,” she said, pointing to the role of innovation hubs, enterprise support programmes, and public-private partnerships in achieving that objective.
Speaking during the signing, Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Management and Leadership Professionals Nigeria Limited, Dr Stephen Longe, said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to him, national development requires programmes that strengthen productivity, leadership capacity and professional competence among young Nigerians.
“We believe that this can only be possible if we increase productivity, skill capacity and knowledge development of our youths,” Longe said.
He explained that the Youth Innovate programme was created to encourage collaboration among Nigerian institutions and the non-formal education sector in order to strengthen innovation and leadership development.
The initiative, he said, will also help improve management standards, build professional competence and equip emerging Nigerian professionals with the leadership and innovation skills needed to drive economic advancement.
