The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, represented by his Chief of Staff, Muhammed Abdullahi, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment during the YEIDEP Implementation Stakeholders’ Retreat. The meeting brought together key actors to tackle unemployment, poverty, and insecurity through the Youth Economic Intervention and Deregulation Program (YEIDEP).
In his remarks, the Minister stressed the urgency of addressing economic hardship, violent extremism, crime, and antisocial behaviour among young Nigerians. He explained that the best solution lies in providing sustainable economic opportunities, especially in agriculture and its value chains, to reduce unemployment and disillusionment.
“YEIDEP is not just another government initiative; it is a national mission essential to Nigeria’s peace, stability, and prosperity,” Comrade Olawande said. He urged stakeholders to take ownership of the rollout by defining responsibilities, creating a roadmap, setting timelines, and ensuring accountability. He encouraged participants to collaborate and empower young Nigerians to embrace enterprise, resilience, and productivity.
Through his representative, Muhammed Abdullahi, the Minister also assured partners that the Ministry is committed to working closely with them so that YEIDEP delivers lasting benefits for youth and contributes meaningfully to national development.
Providing updates on financial arrangements, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Warrens Bekearadebo Augusta, confirmed that 9 out of 20 invited banks have joined the initiative. These banks have opened accounts, registered beneficiaries, and begun financial operations. She added that 3 to 4 more banks are likely to come on board once they meet requirements.
She revealed that registration for the first tranche of beneficiaries has been completed, with over 8,000 verified participants enrolled. To manage this effectively, banks are being grouped into clusters, with monitoring systems, accountability measures, and timelines already in place.
The YEIDEP Coordinator, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, described the programme as a “necessary revolution” for Nigeria’s survival and prosperity. Drawing from his experience across five continents and 77 nations, he said Nigeria’s struggles are not caused by a lack of resources but by weak political leadership in the past.
He assured stakeholders that YEIDEP is firmly committed to equipping young Nigerians with the skills, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive. According to him, the programme will drive enterprise, strengthen resilience, and contribute significantly to national progress and stability.