FG Vows to Turn Nigerian Youth into Powerhouse of Innovation and Enterprise

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s youth as a critical force for national transformation. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made this known while addressing participants at the 2025 Employability Fair hosted by Caleb University in Imota, Lagos.

During his keynote address, the minister emphasized that the government is not merely focused on youth empowerment in principle, but is actively working to position young Nigerians as innovators, entrepreneurs, and value creators equipped for the modern economy. He stressed the need for academic institutions and government agencies to close the gap between formal education and real-world skills.

According to him, Nigeria’s youth remain its most valuable resource, and every effort is being made to ensure they are not only academically qualified but also job-ready and digitally competent. He praised the efforts of Caleb University in hosting the fair, describing it as aligned with national goals around digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and job preparedness.

The fair, now in its second edition, featured participation from over 100 organizations across various sectors including banking, technology, manufacturing, and education. The event offered students direct access to top executives and human resource professionals through mentorship sessions, résumé reviews, internship placements, and live interviews.

The Vice-Chancellor of Caleb University, Professor Olalekan Asikhia, welcomed the minister and lauded his youth-focused initiatives. He reiterated the university’s vision of producing graduates who are globally competitive, entrepreneurial, and impactful in diverse sectors. He also shared ten core workplace habits for success, such as time management, resilience, empathy, and a growth mindset.

Also speaking at the event, a senior representative from a leading media house challenged students to focus on the value they can bring to potential employers rather than relying solely on academic certificates. He emphasized that employment decisions are driven by merit, not sentiment, urging young people to become embodiments of their institutions’ values.

The employability fair also featured masterclasses, career panel discussions, and aptitude testing sessions. Many students described the event as eye-opening and transformative, citing the exposure to real industry expectations and networking opportunities as critical to their career journey.