Youth Minister Advances Tinubu’s NiYA Vision Through Strategic Global Partnerships

 

Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande with His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence UAE 

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

July 10, 2025

Youth Minister Advances Tinubu’s NiYA Vision Through Strategic Global Partnerships

In furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to preparing Nigerian youth for the demands of the global digital economy, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has embarked on a high-level mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he is forging transformative international partnerships to scale innovation, enterprise, and digital capacity-building among young Nigerians.

At the heart of the Minister’s engagements was a strategic session with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa), a global leader in youth-driven innovation. The meeting explored collaborative pathways to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)—an ambitious initiative aimed at empowering over seven million young Nigerians with digital skills, entrepreneurship training, civic leadership development, and international exposure.

“We are building bridges between Nigerian youth and global innovation ecosystems,” the Minister said. “Sheraa’s mission to nurture talent aligns seamlessly with our goal of unlocking the creative and entrepreneurial potential of our young people.”

In a major development, the Minister announced a strategic partnership with GITEX Global, one of the world’s foremost technology and innovation platforms. From September 1–4, 2025, Nigeria will host a GITEX-powered National Digital Innovation Showcase, designed to spotlight Nigerian youth talent on the global stage.

Through this initiative, 300 high-potential Nigerian startups will be selected for international visibility, access to global markets, and tailored support for growth and scale. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), whose Director-General, Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, joined the Minister for the UAE engagements.

Highlighting the progress of NiYA’s domestic rollout, the Minister revealed that over 210,000 Nigerian youth have already been onboarded. Green House Centres are being established across all 774 Local Government Areas, serving as local hubs for structured training, enterprise support, and access to emerging technologies.

To further deepen international exposure, a GITEX Youth Local Showcase Series – Powered by NiYA is also in development. This initiative will build a continuous talent pipeline into prestigious platforms such as GITEX Africa and GITEX Global, embedding Nigeria firmly within the global innovation ecosystem.

The visit also included a strategic meeting with His Excellency Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Discussions focused on collaborative opportunities in AI education, business process outsourcing (BPO), startup incubation, and remote work innovations—all critical sectors for job creation and digital transformation in Nigeria.

“The future belongs to those who innovate,” the Minister noted. “Our mission is to position Nigerian youth as creators—not just consumers—in the global digital economy. We are laying the foundation for a generation of leaders who will shape Africa’s tech-driven future.”

These engagements reinforce the Federal Government’s commitment to forging strategic global alliances that will equip Nigerian youth with the tools, platforms, and networks they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

“To every young Nigerian innovator, tech founder, designer, and change-maker: your time is now. The world is paying attention—and Nigeria is ready,” the Minister concluded.

Other reputable organisations and government functionaries engaged during the Minister’s visit include His Excellency Dr. Sultan Bin Saif Al Neyadi, UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister; Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI); Dubai Cares; Hub 71 Dubai; ALEF Education; and Dubai Future Foundation.

Signed:

Omolara Esan

Director, Information and Public Relations

Federal Ministry of Youth Development