A CENTURY OF WISDOM, COURAGE AND SERVICE: FAREWELL, PA REUBEN FASORANTI I received with profound sadness the news of the passing of our revered father, elder statesman and Yoruba leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, who departed peacefully today at the remarkable age of 100. Baba's passing is a deeply personal loss and a defining moment for Ondo State and the Yoruba nation. He was a towering figure whose life embodied wisdom, courage, integrity and an unwavering commitment to justice, good governance and the advancement of our people. Baba lived not merely for himself, but for generations beyond him. His contributions to education, public service and the Yoruba nation will remain an enduring legacy, reminding us that the true measure of leadership is not how long we live, but how meaningfully we serve. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Fasoranti family, the people of Akure, the government and people of Ondo State, the leadership of Afenifere and the entire Yoruba nation. While we mourn his departure, we give thanks to Almighty God for the rare blessing of his century-long life. May God grant Baba eternal rest and comfort all those he left behind. Adieu, Baba.

Today, I had the honour of welcoming young Nigerians from across the country as we held the hybrid opening ceremony of the National Youth Confab 2026, marking the start of a month-long national conversation on the issues that matter to Nigerian youth and the future they want to help build. Over the coming weeks, young Nigerians will have the opportunity to speak freely, share ideas, ask difficult questions, challenge perspectives respectfully and, importantly, propose solutions. We want to hear what government can do better and what young people themselves can do differently. This must be more than a conversation; it must produce practical recommendations, clear responsibilities and actions that government can follow through on. Ultimately, the true success of this Confab will not be measured by the speeches we make or the photographs we take, but by what happens afterwards. Ideas must become decisions. Decisions must become action. And action must create opportunities for Nigerian youth. That is the standard we have set, and together, we must ensure that this national conversation delivers meaningful outcomes for young Nigerians. I wish us a peaceful and impactful deliberations. #NationalYouthConfab2026 #NigerianYouth #YouthDevelopment

NIGERIA@66: INDEPENDENCE MUST DELIVER OPPORTUNITY AND A VOICE FOR NIGERIAN YOUTH As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, I congratulate fellow young Nigerians at home and in the diaspora whose resilience, creativity and determination continue to strengthen our confidence in the future of our country. This anniversary is an opportunity to honour the sacrifices that gave us freedom, reflect on how far we have come, and ask an important question: what must independence mean for this generation of Nigerians? For our generation, independence must increasingly mean opportunity; the opportunity to acquire relevant skills, earn a decent livelihood, build businesses, innovate, participate in governance and fulfil our potential. We are coming of age in a world transformed by technology, artificial intelligence, the creative economy and global connectivity. Our task is not to fight the battles of 1960, but to confront the challenges of our own time and turn the energy, talent and ambition of Nigerian youth into a powerful force for productivity, innovation and national development. This is the thinking behind the youth-focused interventions of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), total youth participation across the NiYA ecosystem has reached 681,002, including 348,394 users on the NiYA Academy platform, with young Nigerians accessing learning, grants, gigs, jobs and community opportunities. YouthCred is expanding access to consumer credit of up to ₦200,000, while the Youth Help Desk provides a direct channel through which thousands of young Nigerians can seek support and engage government. Alongside interventions in digital literacy, data protection, health, agriculture, climate action and the creative economy, we are working to ensure that young Nigerians have the tools and opportunities to compete and prosper in a rapidly changing world. But opportunity without a voice is incomplete. Young Nigerians cannot constitute such a significant part of our country and remain on the margins of conversations about its future. That conviction is at the heart of the National Youth Confab 2026; a platform for young Nigerians from across the country to engage one another and government honestly on the issues affecting their lives, including employment and entrepreneurship, education and skills, security, governance and political participation, technology and innovation, health and wellbeing, and social inclusion. As the National Youth Confab officially commences tomorrow, 2nd October 2026, it must be more than another gathering where familiar problems are restated. It must be a conference of ideas, solutions and actionable recommendations. I want young Nigerians to speak frankly about what is working and what is not, challenge us where necessary, listen to perspectives different from their own and bring forward practical solutions. Government does not have a monopoly on good ideas, and policies for young people will be stronger when their experiences, aspirations and ideas help shape them. The Confab is not a favour to Nigerian youth; it is an acknowledgement of their rightful place in nation-building. Its success will not be measured by the number of speeches delivered or participants gathered, but by the quality of ideas generated, the inclusiveness of the conversations and, most importantly, our ability to translate its outcomes into practical actions that improve the lives of young Nigerians. At 66, we must move beyond repeatedly describing young Nigerians as the leaders of tomorrow. They are already entrepreneurs building businesses, innovators developing solutions, creatives taking Nigerian culture to the world, farmers strengthening food security, artisans creating value and professionals driving institutions. Government must continue to expand the opportunities that enable this generation to fulfil its potential, while we, as young Nigerians, must seize those opportunities.

Today, I joined the management and senior staff of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development at our Management Retreat to assess our work, identify areas where we must improve and agree on the way forward. I reminded the team that everything we do must answer one fundamental question: what difference are we making in the lives of Nigerian youth? Our success should not be measured by the number of programmes we organise, meetings we hold or agreements we sign, but by the young people whose lives improve through the skills, jobs, funding, business opportunities and other interventions we provide. We also examined how to make the Ministry more effective by strengthening coordination, connecting planning and budgeting with action, removing unnecessary delays and taking responsibility for results. I stressed that the Retreat must produce more than conversations; it must lead to clear priorities, responsibilities, timelines and measurable outcomes. I subsequently met with our junior staff, not only to speak with them but, more importantly, to listen. Their experiences, ideas and concerns matter because no Ministry can function effectively when only those at the top feel involved. Every member of staff must understand that they have a stake in our success and a role in fulfilling our mandate. From management to the most junior member of staff, we are one team with one responsibility: to serve Nigerian youth. I want us to continue building a Ministry that listens, responds, works together and takes responsibility; one where every member of staff understands that behind every memo, decision, programme and partnership are young Nigerians expecting us to deliver. If we keep them at the centre of our work and remain focused on results, we will continue to turn our mandate into meaningful opportunities and better outcomes for the young people of our country. #YouthDevelopment #NigerianYouth #FMYD

Today, we launched the National Youth Data Bank, an important step toward a more inclusive, opportunity-driven future for young Nigerians. The platform will bring together information on young people’s skills, education, employment, businesses, needs and aspirations, helping us make better decisions and connect young Nigerians to opportunities in jobs, training, entrepreneurship, digital programmes and more. No young Nigerian should be overlooked because of where they live. With accurate, secure and responsibly managed data, we can better match talent with opportunity and turn aspirations into progress. I call on young Nigerians to participate and provide accurate information, and for the private sector, development partners, institutions and youth organisations to support this initiative. Our goal is not just to collect data, but to use it to improve lives and build a stronger future for Nigeria.

APPLAUSE FOR NORA AWOLOWO AND DAMILOLA OSIKOYA ON GUINNESS WORLD RECORD I warmly congratulate Nora Awolowo of Rixel Studios and Damilola Osikoya of Switch Visuals Productions on their remarkable achievement of setting a Guinness World Record for the largest attendance at a film screening with Black Market in Lagos. This historic feat is another powerful demonstration of the creativity, ambition and growing global influence of Nigeria’s creative industry. I am particularly delighted by the accomplishment of 27-year-old Nora Awolowo, whose journey represents the enormous possibilities before young Nigerians when talent is matched with courage, discipline and opportunity. At just 27, she has helped deliver an achievement that has placed Nigerian creativity firmly on the global stage. Equally commendable is Damilola Osikoya, whose entrepreneurial and production experience contributed to the successful execution of an event of such extraordinary scale. Their collaboration reminds us that young talent flourishes even more when it is strengthened by experience, partnership and an ecosystem that gives good ideas the opportunity to succeed. Nigeria’s creative economy is increasingly becoming a powerful platform for employment, entrepreneurship and global recognition for our young people. At the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, we will continue to champion opportunities that enable young Nigerians to turn their creativity and skills into sustainable livelihoods, successful enterprises and accomplishments that make our nation proud. I congratulate Nora, Damilola and everyone who contributed to the success of Black Market. May this achievement inspire more young Nigerians to dream beyond limitations, pursue excellence and confidently take their talents to the world. Congratulations, Nora and Damilola. Nigeria celebrates you.

Today, I joined the leadership and members of the Joint Union Negotiating Council of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in celebrating the 2026 Union Week. It was an opportunity to appreciate the dedication of our staff and remind ourselves that, despite our different responsibilities, we share one common purpose: to serve Nigerian youth and to serve them well. I believe the relationship between management and staff must always be built on dialogue, mutual respect and understanding. Our unions should not only come together when there are challenges; they should be partners in building a Ministry where people are respected, good work is encouraged and everyone has the opportunity to give their best. I congratulate the leadership and members of the Joint Union Negotiating Council and wish everyone a successful and memorable Union Week celebration. #YouthDevelopment #UnionWeek2026 #Teamwork #OneTeam

Today, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, I addressed a press conference to herald the much-anticipated National Youth Conference 2026, scheduled to hold in October. With the theme, “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” the two-week Confab will begin with a nationwide virtual consultation involving young Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, followed by a physical conference in Abuja with delegates from all 360 federal constituencies. The Confab will provide an inclusive platform for young Nigerians to share their experiences, present practical solutions and contribute to policies on governance, employment, education, technology, climate action, security and social harmony. This will not be another conference where speeches are delivered and reports are forgotten. We are establishing clear mechanisms to track commitments and translate the outcomes into measurable action. I encourage every young Nigerian to participate actively as we work together to develop solutions, take ownership of our future and build the Nigeria we want.

Today, I declared open the 2026 Batch ‘C’ Pre-Orientation Course Workshop and launched the NYSC Staff E-Training Portal in Abuja. The timely theme, “Reimagining the NYSC Orientation Course: Building Resilient, Responsible and Service-Oriented Corps Members for a Changing World,” reflects the need to continually adapt the Scheme to Nigeria’s realities and aspirations. As a youth development organisation, our goal is for corps members to leave the NYSC with more than a certificate of national service. They should leave with better skills, improved employability, clearer career opportunities and the confidence to create value for themselves and others. Achieving this goal requires investing in the NYSC personnel responsible for supporting and developing corps members. The Staff E-Training Portal will help build a more knowledgeable and responsive workforce as we continue to reshape the NYSC to meet the aspirations of young participants and prepare them for a changing world.

Today, I visited the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to appreciate the Nigeria Police Force for its commitment to the Nigerian Youth HelpDesk and, importantly, for helping us provide timely support to young Nigerians who need assistance. We also explored how we can do more together, particularly around youth engagement, crime prevention, and ensuring greater security for young people as we approach the elections.

I thank Almighty God for the safe rescue of the National Youth Service Corps members abducted in Kogi State, and I share in the relief and joy of their families, colleagues and loved ones. I commend and express our profound gratitude to the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, local security personnel and all those involved in the coordinated operation that secured their freedom. Their courage, professionalism and determination are deeply appreciated. As efforts continue to ensure that every affected person is safely accounted for, we remain grateful to our security agencies for their unwavering commitment to protecting the lives of our young people and all Nigerians.

Today, I visited the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), where I received insights into some of the Agency’s ongoing projects and the deliberate efforts to deepen the participation of young Nigerians in its programmes. I was particularly pleased with discussions around expanding skills development opportunities for young people, including the possibility of exposing corps members under the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to relevant technical and future-focused skills. The engagement was another reminder of the opportunities that can be unlocked when our institutions consciously factor Nigeria’s youthful population into their programmes. With young people constituting the majority of our population, we must continue to create pathways that connect them to technology, innovation, practical skills and emerging sectors of the economy. I also met with representatives of Junior Chamber International (JCI), with discussions centred on youth leadership, capacity development and opportunities for greater youth participation in national development. Across both engagements, the message was clear: our young people have the talent and energy; we must continue to build the platforms that give them the skills, exposure and opportunities to thrive.

On my arrival in office today, I took some time to engage with staff of the Ministry, participated in the Ministry’s Sports Club election, and visited some of our Directors in their respective offices. For me, leadership is not only about giving direction; it is also about listening, understanding the people you work with and building the relationships required to deliver results. The progress we continue to make at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development is a product of the collective efforts of our dedicated staff across departments and units. I remain committed to maintaining an open and cordial working relationship with the entire team as we continue to strengthen the Ministry and expand meaningful opportunities for young Nigerians.

APPLAUSE FOR MARYAM IBRAHIM DAN’ AZUMI, NIGERIA’S QUR’ANIC CHAMPION I heartily congratulate Maryam Ibrahim Dan’ Azumi on her remarkable victory at the 46th King Abdulaziz International Qur’anic Competition in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Emerging victorious in a competition featuring participants from 132 other countries is an extraordinary achievement. Her mastery of the Holy Qur’an, including memorisation, recitation, Tajweed and Tafsir, reflects years of discipline, sacrifice, dedication and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Maryam’s success is another powerful reminder of the enormous potential of young Nigerians to compete and excel on the global stage. Even more inspiring is the remarkable example of her family, with her elder sister, Hajara Ibrahim Dan Azumi, also having emerged first in an international Qur’anic competition in Jordan in 2024. Their achievements demonstrate what is possible when talent is nurtured through strong values, education, mentorship and family support. I congratulate their parents, teachers and mentors whose sacrifices and guidance have contributed immensely to these outstanding accomplishments. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, I celebrate Maryam for bringing honour to our country. May this achievement inspire millions of young Nigerians to pursue knowledge, discipline and excellence, and may Allah continue to increase her in knowledge and make the Holy Qur’an a source of guidance and blessing in her life. Congratulations, Maryam. Nigeria is proud of you.

I was pleased to join the Government and young people of Taraba State in Jalingo for the Taraba State Youth Empowerment Programme and the unveiling of the Taraba State Youth Development Roadmap 2026–2031 and Long-Term Youth Agenda 2050. I particularly commend the Executive Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, for his commitment to youth development and for backing that commitment with concrete action, including the ₦500 million soft grant for young people. I equally appreciate the Executive Chairman, Hon. Prince Gara Soyongha Nongha, and the management of the Taraba State Youth Development Agency for the hard work and leadership that went into translating the Governor’s vision into action. I was also honoured to receive an award from the Future-Ready Youth Initiative, founded by Deborah John, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, in recognition of my contributions to youth development. I also had the privilege of unveiling a book of the same title, “Future Ready,” for which I wrote the foreword. The intervention in Taraba complements what we are doing at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development through NiYA StartUp, supporting young Nigerians to build businesses, create jobs and solve problems. The Federal Government cannot reach every young person alone. We need states, the private sector and other partners working alongside us. If more states make deliberate investments like Taraba, we can reach more young Nigerians, grow more businesses and turn our large youth population into a true national advantage. While in Jalingo, I also visited the NYSC Orientation Camp, where I engaged with corps members undergoing the mandatory three-week orientation course. I encouraged them to see the service year not merely as an obligation, but as an opportunity for service, personal growth and preparation for life beyond the NYSC. Youth development must ultimately be about creating opportunities today while preparing our young people for tomorrow.

I am delighted to celebrate the Youth Help Desk of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development on receiving the Civil Service Excellence Award from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, in recognition of its excellent performance and transformative impact. This recognition is particularly significant because the Youth Help Desk was created with a simple but important purpose: to ensure that young Nigerians have a place within government where they can be heard, supported and connected to solutions. Today, thousands of young people have reached the Desk with enquiries, complaints and requests for assistance, and we continue to strengthen the platform to respond more effectively to their needs. I congratulate the entire Youth Help Desk team and everyone at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development whose dedication has contributed to this achievement. I also appreciate the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, for this recognition. For us, this award is not merely a celebration of what has been achieved; it is a challenge to do even more. Every young Nigerian deserves a government that listens, responds and delivers. We will keep working to make that a reality.

I am pleased to announce that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), is partnering with Cascador to launch the NiYA × Cascador Founders Programme, a new initiative that will prepare young Nigerian entrepreneurs for investment and provide up to ₦5 million each in non-dilutive funding to top-performing young founders. This partnership is the direct outcome of our engagements with Cascador, including the follow-up meeting I hosted on 29 April, where we explored how their experience supporting Nigerian entrepreneurs could align with our broader youth development agenda. What began as a conversation around the table has now become a practical opportunity for young Nigerians. Under the pilot programme, selected early-stage youth founders will undergo an intensive four-week programme covering business fundamentals, investment readiness, pitch preparation and one-on-one mentorship. At the end, the top-performing founders will each receive up to ₦5 million in non-dilutive funding from Cascador, alongside an Enterprise Resource Planning solution to help them structure, manage and scale their businesses. This is very important to me because our engagements as a Ministry must ultimately translate into opportunities that young Nigerians can see, access and benefit from. Meetings are necessary, but the real measure of engagement is what comes out of them. When we sit with the private sector, development partners and investors, our objective is not the meeting itself; it is to build relationships that can unlock opportunities for Nigerian youth. This partnership also advances the philosophy behind NiYA. We do not want to stop at training. We want to build a stronger bridge from learning to enterprise, from ideas to investment readiness, and from potential to sustainable businesses. Importantly, this pilot recognises that talented young Nigerians should not be excluded simply because they are still at an early stage or do not yet have the financial history and networks that traditionally open doors to capital. Twenty founders may be the starting point, but the bigger objective is to develop a model that can be tested, strengthened and expanded. We want an ecosystem where a young Nigerian's opportunity to succeed is increasingly determined by the strength of the idea, readiness to learn and ability to execute; not simply by background or connections. Applications open Wednesday, 19 August 2026, through niya.gov.ng.

Today, as we commemorate International Youth Day 2026, I am pleased to announce the FMYD Youth Opportunities Content Challenge, a new initiative of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. Through this Challenge, we are inviting young Nigerians to use their creativity and social media platforms to help other young people discover the opportunities available to them. We are not asking you to praise the Ministry; we are asking you to inform another young Nigerian. Pick an opportunity, understand it, explain it creatively and help someone discover something that could change their life. Full details, including guidelines, categories, timelines and prizes, will be announced shortly. This year’s International Youth Day theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” speaks directly to the Nigerian experience. We may come from different communities, cultures, educational backgrounds and circumstances, but our aspirations are largely the same. We want opportunities. We want to succeed. We want to innovate, contribute and build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria where everyone has a fair chance to grow. Under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we are translating these aspirations into action. Through the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), 239,726 young Nigerians have gained digital, employability and other practical skills. We are supporting entrepreneurs through NiYA StartUp, expanding access to credit through YouthCred, creating opportunities through the Youth Agricultural Land Trust Fund and the Presidential Metering Initiative, providing information and support through the Nigerian Youth Help Desk, and undertaking the first comprehensive reform of the NYSC since its establishment 53 years ago. These interventions reflect our determination to ensure that young Nigerians can see, touch and feel the impact of government in their lives. To every young Nigerian, my charge today is simple: believe in yourself. Continue to learn. Build useful skills. Use technology wisely. Create solutions. Choose integrity. Reject violence. Promote peace and unity. And believe in Nigeria. Our contexts may be different and our experiences may differ, but our hopes for a better future are the same. Together, we can turn those hopes into progress for our dear country. Happy International Youth Day 2026!