The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reaffirmed its commitment to placing young Nigerians at the centre of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. At the Youth Dialogue organised by the United Nations in Nigeria to mark International Youth Day 2025, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, urged young people to take active leadership roles in driving the SDGs, stressing that the administration is moving beyond tokenism to ensure meaningful youth participation in governance and development.
The government’s strategy focuses on creating an enabling environment where youth can innovate, partner, and contribute effectively to national growth, with priority areas including climate action, education, and healthcare. This approach aligns with the global Pact for the Future, which emphasises that the SDGs are concrete commitments aimed at improving lives and building resilient communities across Nigeria.
By fostering sustained dialogue between youth, government, and development partners, the Tinubu administration seeks to promote inclusive policymaking and deliver impactful development programmes. The involvement of key figures such as UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and UN Global Ambassador for Peace Maryam Bukar at the event highlights the significance of youth-led contributions to shaping both Nigeria’s future and global development agendas.