Empowering Nigeria’s Youth: Insights from the DDBPI’s 3rd Youth National Policy Drive Dialogue Series
The De Dynamic Builders Progressive Initiative (DDBPI) hosted its 3rd Youth National Policy Drive Dialogue Series on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, on the Zoom platform. Themed “Empowering Youth and the Informal Sector to Drive Institutional Strengthening and Policy Advocacy,” the event featured distinguished speakers, including Hon. Ayodele Olawande, Honourable Minister of Youth Development; Hon. Mrs. Titilope Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Youth Initiatives, Monitoring, and Delivering; Engr. Dr. Mohammed Jibrin, Former Director-General of the National Board for Technology Incubation; and Engr. Anthony Adeola, Director-General of the DDBPI.
The session was moderated by Eric Adile Iroajugh, General Secretary of the DDBPI.Represented by Ololade Ogunnubi, Hon. Titilope Gbadamosi delivered a compelling presentation emphasizing Nigeria’s youth as a critical demographic. With over 25% of the country’s population under the age of 25, Gbadamosi described this segment as “untapped energy, a dominant force of innovation, and a reservoir of resilience.”
She outlined systemic barriers limiting youth contributions to governance and policy advocacy, including restricted access to leadership roles, education and skill gaps, and financial constraints.
“Youth development is not a buzzword but a critical strategy for driving innovation, strengthening institutions, and enhancing policy growth,” Gbadamosi noted. She highlighted ongoing efforts such as town hall meetings held across the country in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development, aimed at fostering inclusivity in leadership roles for young Nigerians.
Gbadamosi’s presentation shed light on key issues hindering youth engagement:Limited Opportunities and Leadership Roles: Nigerian youth face restricted access to leadership roles, with entrenched systems often excluding them from decision-making processes. Gbadamosi lauded the DDBPI’s initiative in creating platforms like the National Policy Advocacy Dialogue Series to amplify youth voices.Education and Skills Gap: Many young Nigerians lack the necessary education and skills for meaningful engagement.
To bridge this gap, the Federal Government has introduced the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a platform equipping youth with essential skills for employment and leadership.Further, the Nigerian Education Fund (NEFund) seeks to eliminate financial barriers to education by providing allowances for students to remain in school.
Financial Constraints: A significant portion of Nigeria’s youth struggles with financial barriers, limiting their ability to pursue entrepreneurial or policy-driven initiatives.
The Special Assistant’s office provides cash grants and support for youth involved in micro-businesses, fostering economic self-reliance.Gbadamosi outlined several initiatives aimed at breaking down systemic barriers:Sector-Specific
Training: Programs facilitated by agencies like SMEDAN focus on equipping youth with industry-specific skills.Youth Advisory Councils: Established at state and local government levels to ensure inclusive youth engagement.Entrepreneurship and Employment: Policies prioritizing youth employment were highlighted, with recent recruitment efforts by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) exclusively targeting young Nigerians.Institutional Inclusion: Training programs, such as those for the compressed natural gas (CNG) value chain, were introduced to position youth in emerging industries.Gbadamosi encouraged Nigerian youth to embrace their roles as changemakers, advocating for inclusive policies and utilizing their energy to drive national development.
Engr. Anthony Adeola, Director-General of DDBPI, reiterated the organization’s unwavering commitment to empowering Nigeria’s youth, particularly in the informal economic sector.
With operations spanning all six geopolitical zones and 36 states, DDBPI aims to equip youth with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage meaningfully in governance and policy advocacy.“Our mission is to transform Nigeria’s youth into agents of positive change by providing them with the tools, skills, and knowledge to understand and support national policies,” Adeola emphasized.DDBPI’s unique focus on the informal sector allows it to address the root causes of youth disengagement and disempowerment.
Its programs align with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Youth Employment and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Quality Education and Lifelong Learning (SDG 4), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).DDBPI has cultivated a vibrant network of volunteers and members who play a pivotal role in implementing programs and advocating for youth empowerment. Through tailored workshops, economic empowerment initiatives, and community development projects, the organization fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among young Nigerians.
Eric Adile Iroajugh, General Secretary of DDBPI and moderator of the event, underscored the importance of collaboration. “Youth are not just beneficiaries of development policies; they are active participants and leaders of change,” he said, urging policymakers to create an enabling environment that empowers youth to contribute meaningfully to governance.
The dialogue concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders—government agencies, private sector players, and civil society organizations—to invest in youth empowerment.
As Gbadamosi eloquently stated, “Investing in Nigeria’s youth is investing in the future of our nation. By empowering them, we build institutions that are resilient, policies that are forward-thinking, and a nation that is inclusive and progressive.
”Through platforms like the DDBPI’s Youth National Policy Drive Dialogue Series, Nigeria is taking crucial steps toward realizing the potential of its youth.
As the nation grapples with economic and social challenges, empowering young Nigerians to lead, innovate, and inspire will be key to achieving sustainable development.
The De Dynamic Builders Progressive Initiative (DDBPI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Nigerian youth, particularly in the informal economic sector.
With a mission to transform youth into ambassadors of positive change, DDBPI bridges the gap between policy education and practical skill development, fostering a generation of informed and proactive leaders.DDBPI’s vision is to create a Nigeria where every youth is empowered, informed, and actively engaged in governance and nation-building.
Its programs, guided by the principles of empowerment, integrity, inclusivity, sustainability, and collaboration, continue to make a lasting impact across the country.
