Olusegun Adeyemo
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to celebrate International Youth Day on Tuesday August 12, stakeholders have called for greater investment in young people as key drivers of national and global development.
International Youth Day, celebrated annually on August 12, was established by the United Nations in 1999 to highlight the contributions of young people and address the challenges they face. This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” underscores the importance of grassroots initiatives in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and building a better future beyond 2030.
In Oyo State, the commemoration drew attention to the urgent need for policies and programs that empower young Nigerians to take active roles in governance, economic growth, and social change.
Speaking on the significance of the day, Oyo State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Olusegun Abdulsalam, emphasized that youth engagement is critical to the achievement of the SDGs. He warned that unless governments at all levels intensify efforts to reduce unemployment, the country risks losing a generation to economic hardship and social unrest.
“Our youths are vibrant, talented, and innovative, but many are held back by lack of opportunities. The government must create platforms where young people can showcase their skills, access funding, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s growth,” Abdulsalam said.
Also speaking, youth advocate Mrs. Ibunkunayomi John highlighted that achieving the SDGs without the involvement of the youth is impossible. She urged young Nigerians to take ownership of community development projects and to be proactive in finding solutions to local challenges.
“The SDGs are not just for governments and international agencies. Every young person has a role to play, whether in environmental conservation, education, gender equality, or entrepreneurship,” she added.
Public affairs analyst, Comrade Olukemi Ademola-Aremu, added an economic dimension to the discussions, calling for stronger international support for youth-led initiatives.
She urged global funding bodies such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, African Development Bank, and ECOWAS Fund to provide direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations.
According to her, such targeted support should focus on both social and individual entrepreneurship, particularly at the grassroots level. She explained that this approach would not only stimulate local economies but also promote cottage industrialization and sustainable rural development.
“When you empower young entrepreneurs, you don’t just help individuals—you transform entire communities. Economic independence for the youth is the key to reducing poverty and building a self-reliant nation,” Ademola-Aremu stated.
Some young people in an interview with Journal Nigeria also used the opportunity to appeal to federal and state authorities to take urgent action in addressing the rising trend of youth unemployment.
They expressed optimism that with proper support, Nigerian youths could become a formidable force in advancing the country’s development agenda and positioning it competitively on the global stage.