The National Youth Stakeholders Forum (NYSF) has issued a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, calling for a 25% increase in budgetary allocations for youth development in the 2025 fiscal year. The NYSF emphasized that this move is vital to addressing youth unemployment and rescuing 60% of Nigerian youth from the streets through targeted programs in the second and third quarters of 2025.
The NYSF, a coalition of youth interest groups across Nigeria, was established as a platform to unify and advance the aspirations of young Nigerians. Speaking on the forum’s vision, the NYSF underscored its role as a collective voice for Nigerian youth, championing inclusivity in national development.
Commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his proactive steps toward youth inclusion, the NYSF highlighted the strategic appointments of young Nigerians into critical government positions as a testament to his commitment to the younger generation. Similarly, the forum expressed appreciation for the Honorable Minister of Youth, Olawande Ayodele Wisdom, for adopting an open-door policy that fosters collaboration and inclusivity. The NYSF reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with the Ministry of Youth to ensure that the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda delivers meaningful benefits to Nigerian youth.
The NYSF called on all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as government parastatals, to prioritize youth-focused programs in their budgetary plans. To ensure effective implementation, the forum urged the Ministry of Youth to establish liaison officers within these agencies to monitor and enforce the execution of youth-oriented initiatives. According to the NYSF, such efforts are critical to curbing youth restiveness, reducing crime, and fostering national progress.
Furthermore, the NYSF lauded President Tinubu for initiating the National Youth Confab, describing it as a timely and historic platform for young Nigerians to engage in meaningful dialogue on national issues. As a forum with an extensive reach, the NYSF pledged to mobilize Nigerian youth to actively participate in the confab and provide a unified voice in shaping policies that reflect their aspirations. The forum committed to ensuring that resolutions from the confab are preserved and implemented for national transformation.
In a final note, the NYSF extended profound gratitude to its founder and national leader, Aare Barr. Oladotun Hassan, for his visionary leadership in establishing the organization. His efforts have provided Nigerian youth with a unified platform to collaborate, innovate, and drive change for the betterment of the country.
The NYSF remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for youth empowerment, urging government leaders and institutions to take bold steps toward increasing investments in youth development programs. With increased budgetary allocations, effective implementation frameworks, and collaborative dialogue, Nigerian youth will be well-positioned to lead and contribute to the nation’s growth.
Signed:
Amb. Auwal Musa Mohammad
National Chairman, NYSF
Patriot Olufowobi Olarewaju Desmond
Secretary General, NYSF
Date: January 24, 2025
