Daniel Oteria
Every 12th of August, International Youth Day celebrates the dynamism, creativity, and potential of young people worldwide. This year’s theme — “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond” — calls on youth to champion sustainable development rooted in their communities’ unique challenges and opportunities.
Nigeria’s demographic profile is heavily skewed towards youth, with an estimated 63 per cent of the population under the age of 25, according to The Guardian. Despite this, structural barriers continue to limit opportunities for millions.
Youth unemployment is estimated at about 42 per cent, while more than 13 million children remain out of school, based on pre-COVID-19 data. The National Population Commission warns that limited access to quality education and healthcare threatens the nation’s ability to harness its demographic dividend.
The situation is even more critical for young persons with disabilities. A TheCable report found that 63 per cent of youths living with disabilities are excluded from education, employment, and training opportunities — a level of marginalisation far greater than that faced by their peers without disabilities.
Leading efforts to address these challenges is Miss Saratu Hamidu Samaila, Executive Director of the Muryar Matasa Initiative for Employment, Development, and Inclusion. Through skills training, entrepreneurship programmes, and advocacy for inclusive policies, her organisation works to empower Nigerian youth and ensure that no one is left behind.
In this exclusive interview with The Journal, Miss Samaila shares how Nigerian youth can leverage local actions to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), create opportunities, and build a more inclusive future.
This year’s International Youth Day focuses on “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond.” In your own words, what does this theme mean for Nigerian youth?
This year’s theme resonates deeply with me. It highlights the crucial role youth play in shaping our world, recognising that our contributions aren’t one-size-fits-all. They are localised, context-specific, and tailored to our environments. Young people from diverse backgrounds bring unique perspectives to the development table. By embracing this diversity and leveraging our individual strengths, we can collectively contribute to a more prosperous, livable, and sustainable planet for all.
Can you give an example of a local youth-led project that truly reflects this theme?
A good example is one from my organisation called Pathway to Higher Education Excellence and Independence. It targets secondary school graduates, training them to be independent while encouraging them to pursue higher education. Many of the students who have gone through this programme are now in higher education, vocational training, or running their own businesses. They are financially self-reliant and even supporting their families.
Your foundation works on employment, development, and inclusion. How do you ensure that young people with disabilities are fully part of your programmes?
As a young woman with a disability, inclusivity is central to my initiatives. My team is diverse and includes persons with disabilities. We ensure participation by focusing on accessible venues, adapted training materials, and constantly updating our strategies to improve inclusion.
Can you share a success story?
Since 2022, we have worked with the Government School for the Blind, training over 700 students, including about 200 persons with disabilities. In 2022, we also implemented a cash empowerment programme for young entrepreneurs, where two out of three beneficiaries were persons with disabilities — one with visual impairment and one with a physical disability.
Many young Nigerians struggle to find jobs after school. What practical steps can we take to create more employment opportunities, especially at the community level?
One step is encouraging young people to start working early, rather than waiting until after academic qualifications. Through Pathway to Higher Education, we teach youths to integrate employment into their lives from an early stage. Another step is recognising and supporting local talent — often, skilled young people are overlooked because their work is not widely known. By patronising local talent, we can create jobs and reduce unemployment.
Do you think entrepreneurship could be a bigger solution than waiting for formal jobs?
Absolutely.
What role can young people themselves play in driving the SDGs in their communities?
Youths can contribute by actively participating in democratic processes at local, state, and national levels. This starts with obtaining voter’s cards and actually voting, staying informed, and being ready to take leadership roles. We must recognise that development also depends on our own engagement.
Which SDG do you believe Nigerian youth can achieve faster with the right support
SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
What are the biggest barriers stopping youth, including those with disabilities, from starting their own businesses?
Funding.
Rural youth are often left out of development programmes. How can we change this?
Programmes must have built-in outreach mechanisms to ensure they reach rural areas. For example, if an entrepreneurship programme is launched, it should identify local business gaps in villages and provide targeted support to fill them. This creates a value chain that includes rural youth.
Does your foundation have outreach specifically for rural youth?
Not yet, but we are working towards it.
What kinds of training are most urgently needed for Nigerian youth right now?
Digital skills are essential in today’s economy. Financial literacy is equally important, as is understanding how to sustain a business. I’ve studied businesses to identify why some fail and others succeed, and I’ve written an e-book titled How to Sustain Your Business to help young entrepreneurs.
How can these trainings be made accessible to persons with disabilities?
By incorporating reasonable accommodations — Braille materials for the visually impaired, sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired, and physically accessible venues. In Katsina State, I’ve seen encouraging steps towards inclusion in most trainings.
How can the government, the private sector, and NGOs work better together to support inclusive youth development in Nigeria?
By agreeing on a unified agenda for youth development, even if each sector uses different strategies. A shared goal will ensure more effective and inclusive initiatives.
Many young Nigerians feel excluded from decision-making. How do we give them, especially those with disabilities, a real voice in policies that affect them?
The government and stakeholders must implement existing laws, such as the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018. Many states have yet to implement it fully. Effective implementation will ensure youth voices are heard.
Could youth councils or advisory boards make a difference?
Yes.
If you had one message for Nigerian youth on this International Youth Day, what would it be?
Congratulations to all Nigerian youth! We are contributing to society in different ways — being productive, self-reliant, and resilient. Let’s continue to support each other, see ourselves as partners rather than rivals, and work together to achieve more.
And what single action would you like them to take before the next Youth Day?
Set a SMART goal for yourself between now and next year’s International Youth Day. Have something tangible to show — a skill gained, a project completed, or personal growth achieved.