Oluwatimilehin Kayode
Nigeria’s youthful population is a double-edged sword, wielding both immense potential and daunting challenges. With over 70% of Nigerians under 30, the country stands at a critical juncture, facing a youth bulge that can either drive economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development or exacerbate unemployment, insecurity, and social unrest. The statistics are telling: Nigeria is projected to become the world’s third-most populous country by 2050, with a median age of 18, making it one of the youngest nations globally. This demographic reality demands urgent, strategic investments in human capital development, innovation, and entrepreneurship to harness the energies, creativity, and aspirations of its teeming youth. Against this backdrop, Titilope Gbadamosi, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Youth Initiatives, is leveraging her office to catalyze transformative change, positioning Nigerian youth as agents of change rather than mere beneficiaries of government programs. As she emphasized in her speech at the University of Westminster, “Empowering Nigerian youth is not just a moral imperative, it’s an economic necessity.” This mantra underscores her mission to drive policies and initiatives that unlock opportunities for young Nigerians, fostering a generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers who can propel Nigeria into a new era of prosperity and global competitiveness.
Gbadamosi’s initiatives focus on economic inclusion, skill development, and leadership among young Nigerians, addressing the pressing issues of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Her efforts are timely, given the high unemployment rates and limited opportunities facing Nigerian youth. “The future belongs to those who prepare for it,” says Gbadamosi, echoing the need for proactive measures to address youth challenges. Through partnerships with government agencies, she’s facilitated skill acquisition programs and entrepreneurship grants, enabling young Nigerians to become job creators rather than job seekers. For instance, her office has partnered with organizations to provide training in emerging tech fields like data science, AI, and cybersecurity, equipping youths with skills to compete globally. Additionally, Gbadamosi advocates for internships, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs to bridge the gap between education and industry needs, ensuring Nigerian youth are work-ready and entrepreneurial. She’s also pushing for policies that promote youth-friendly business environments, access to funding, and digital infrastructure development, aiming to boost youth entrepreneurship and innovation. By focusing on sectors like agribusiness, renewable energy, and creative industries, Gbadamosi believes Nigerian youth can drive economic diversification and job creation, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s GDP and reducing poverty levels.
Countries around the world have demonstrated the impact of investing in youth human capital development. South Korea’s emphasis on STEM education and vocational training has made it a global tech hub. Singapore’s SkillsFuture program offers lifelong learning opportunities, ensuring its youth remain competitive. In Europe, Germany’s dual education system combines classroom learning with on-the-job training, reducing youth unemployment. Estonia has become a digital hotspot by promoting e-governance and tech skills among youth. In Asia, Malaysia’s National Youth Development Policy focuses on entrepreneurship and leadership development. Rwanda has invested in youth skills training and innovation hubs to drive economic growth. These examples show how strategic investments in youth can transform economies. Nigeria can replicate some of these strategies, adapting them to local contexts and needs. By prioritizing youth empowerment, Nigeria can unlock its demographic dividend, driving innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development. Key areas for replication include integrating vocational training and digital skills into education systems, promoting public-private partnerships for youth skill development, encouraging youth entrepreneurship through access to funding and mentorship, and focusing on sectors with high growth potential like tech, agribusiness, and renewable energy. Through these efforts, Nigeria aims to create a thriving youth ecosystem that drives national progress, enhances global competitiveness, and improves the quality of life for its citizens. Moreover, leveraging digital technologies and innovation will be crucial in scaling these initiatives and reaching Nigeria’s vast youth population, ensuring no one is left behind in the country’s development journey.
Gbadamosi’s advocacy focuses on policies addressing youth unemployment, education, and digital literacy, recognizing these as critical pillars for youth empowerment. She promotes youth involvement in governance through workshops, mentorship programs, and policy dialogues, ensuring young Nigerians have a voice in shaping their future. Involving youth in decision-making ensures policies meet their needs and reflect their aspirations. Her efforts have earned her recognition as a champion of youth empowerment, inspiring hope among Nigerian youths. Gbadamosi’s advocacy extends to promoting gender equality and inclusivity in youth initiatives, ensuring marginalized and vulnerable youth groups are not left behind. She has pushed for increased funding for youth programs, improved digital infrastructure in rural areas, and partnerships with private sector companies to create job opportunities. Through her advocacy, Gbadamosi aims to create a supportive ecosystem where Nigerian youth can thrive, innovate, and lead. Specifically, she’s advocating for policies that promote youth access to finance, enhance digital skills training, and encourage youth participation in agriculture and renewable energy sectors. By addressing these areas, Gbadamosi believes Nigerian youth can drive sustainable development and contribute to national prosperity. Her advocacy also emphasizes the importance of mental health support, sports development, and cultural engagement for holistic youth development. As a result, Gbadamosi’s efforts have positioned her as a key influencer in Nigeria’s youth development landscape, driving conversations and actions that prioritize youth needs and aspirations.
To build on these initiatives, Gbadamosi can leverage her office to expand partnerships with private sector companies, NGOs, international organizations, and youth-led networks, creating a robust ecosystem for youth empowerment. She can improve on this by establishing a dedicated partnership unit within her office to streamline collaboration efforts, track progress, and ensure tangible outcomes for Nigerian youth. This unit can focus on forging partnerships that address specific youth challenges, such as digital skills gaps, entrepreneurship funding, and job placement. Gbadamosi can also prioritize partnerships with tech companies to enhance digital literacy, with financial institutions to increase access to youth entrepreneurship funding, and with international agencies to bring global best practices to Nigeria. Collaborations can provide more resources for youth programs, scale skill development initiatives, and create job opportunities. “Partnerships are key to amplifying impact,” says Gbadamosi. Focusing on digital skills training can position Nigerian youth at the forefront of Africa’s tech revolution. Additionally, Gbadamosi can leverage partnerships to establish youth innovation hubs across Nigeria, fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving among young Nigerians. By deepening these partnerships and ensuring they translate into tangible benefits for youth, Gbadamosi can further amplify her impact on Nigerian youth empowerment.
Gbadamosi’s proactive approach and commitment to inclusivity demonstrate the impact of dedicated leadership on youth empowerment. As Nigeria navigates its demographic challenges, leaders like her are crucial. Investing in youth is investing in Nigeria’s future. Her work shows that with the right policies and partnerships, Nigeria’s youth bulge can become a demographic dividend. Gbadamosi’s leadership style, emphasizing collaboration and innovation, serves as a model for other leaders seeking to drive youth-focused change in Nigeria. By continuing to champion youth empowerment, Gbadamosi is helping shape a brighter future for Nigerian youth, one where they can contribute meaningfully to national development and achieve their full potential. Her efforts underscore the importance of dedicated leadership in unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youth, fostering a culture of innovation, and driving sustainable development across the country.
Titilope Gbadamosi’s efforts are a beacon of hope for Nigerian youth, resonating across the nation’s diverse landscapes, cultures, and communities. As she continues to drive initiatives that empower young Nigerians, her impact extends beyond policy changes, inspiring a shift in mindset, igniting passions, and unlocking potentials. In schools, communities, and workplaces, Gbadamosi’s message of youth empowerment is sparking change, encouraging young Nigerians to dream big, innovate, and lead. Her work is creating ripples of positive change, influencing how Nigerians perceive youth, and redefining the narrative around Nigerian youth from beneficiaries to drivers of change. Across Nigeria, Gbadamosi’s initiatives are paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous future, one where Nigerian youth can thrive, contribute, and shape the nation’s destiny. By empowering youth, Gbadamosi is contributing to a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous Nigeria, where opportunities abound for all. With each step forward, Gbadamosi’s vision for Nigerian youth is becoming a reality, fostering a generation of empowered, innovative, and driven young Nigerians ready to take the reins of Nigeria’s future.
Oluwatimilehin Kolade, a public affairs analyst and peace and conflict specialist.