By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has launched the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB) to provide reliable data for evidence-based planning, policy formulation and targeted interventions aimed at improving the wellbeing and opportunities of young Nigerians.
The initiative, launched by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is expected to create a central platform for collecting and organising information on the demographic characteristics, skills, aspirations, needs and opportunities of Nigerian youths.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the success of the Data Bank would require sustained collaboration among government ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, educational institutions, development partners, private sector organisations, civil society groups and youth organisations.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Omolara Esan, on Tuesday, Olawande said the initiative was not limited to the collection and storage of data but was designed to improve the identification of young Nigerians and link them with relevant opportunities.
He listed such opportunities to include skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, internships, digital programmes and other youth-focused interventions.
The minister stressed the need for inclusion, privacy and responsible data management, noting that Nigerian youths have different circumstances based on their location, gender, educational background, economic status, disability and access to infrastructure.
Olawande said the Data Bank would help improve the visibility of young people who are often underrepresented in existing datasets, particularly those living in rural and underserved communities.
He also assured that safeguards would be required to ensure data protection, accuracy and responsible management of information provided by young Nigerians.
According to him, the launch marked the beginning of a long-term effort to transform reliable youth data into meaningful opportunities and measurable development outcomes.
He said the vision of the initiative was to “Know the Youth, Understand the Youth, Connect the Youth and Empower the Youth,” in support of a stronger and more inclusive Nigeria.
The minister added that the initiative formed part of the Federal Government’s broader youth development agenda, particularly in youth empowerment, job creation, skills development, digital transformation and human capital development.
He explained that the Data Bank would enable government to identify emerging needs, develop targeted interventions and connect young Nigerians with opportunities aligned with their skills, aspirations and circumstances.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, represented by the Director of Human Resources, Olaniepekun Akinwumi Adebayo, described the initiative as a major milestone in youth development planning.
Keshinro said accurate information on the educational and skills profiles, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, locations, aspirations and vulnerabilities of young Nigerians would be critical to harnessing the potential of the country’s youthful population.
She said the Data Bank would strengthen evidence-based policymaking, programme targeting, monitoring and evaluation, as well as coordination among institutions involved in youth development.
The Permanent Secretary added that the platform would assist government institutions, development partners, private sector organisations and researchers in designing interventions that respond more effectively to the realities and aspirations of Nigerian youths.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development, Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, represented by the Clerk of the committee, Dr. Ijeoma Chilean, described the initiative as a significant step towards a more responsive and inclusive approach to youth development.
Adaramodu said reliable youth data would support effective legislation, policy formulation, resource allocation and the development of targeted programmes.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, POGMA Nigeria Limited and other stakeholders for their roles in the development and implementation of the National Youth Data Bank.
The National Youth Data Bank is expected to provide stakeholders with a structured source of youth-related information while strengthening coordination and improving the targeting of government and partner-led youth development programmes across the country.
