The Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Olawande Emmanuel Ayodele, has called on Nigerian youth to take the lead in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the world approaches the 2030 deadline. He made this call at a Youth Dialogue organized by the United Nations to mark International Youth Day 2025, held at the UN House in Abuja.
With the theme “Youth Action on SDGs and Beyond,” Olawande emphasized the need for meaningful youth leadership, moving beyond tokenism to empower young people as key drivers of change. He praised the creativity, innovation, and resilience of young Nigerians who are already localizing the SDGs in their communities, highlighting examples such as grassroots climate action and tech-driven solutions in education and health.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth innovation, partnership, and enterprise. He stressed that the SDGs represent real commitments to people and communities, not just targets on paper. Olawande also commended the contributions of partners, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and UN Global Ambassador for Peace Maryam Bukar, noting that their work demonstrates how Nigerians can shape global frameworks.
In a Q&A session with participants, Ayodele noted that youth voices are already influencing government policies and programs. He emphasized that continued engagement between young people, government, and development partners will lead to more inclusive and impactful outcomes.
International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12, recognizes the contributions of young people worldwide. This year’s theme underscores the essential role of youth in achieving the SDGs and shaping a sustainable future.
