In a significant move to empower the youth, the Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), targeting young Nigerians aged 15 to 35. The initiative was unveiled by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, during a ceremony held in Abuja on September 30, 2026.

The NYDB aims to create a comprehensive database that will capture the skills, locations, and needs of youths across the country. This initiative is designed to bridge the information gap between the government and the youth population, facilitating more effective planning and delivery of programs tailored to their needs. Olawande emphasized the importance of including both formal and informal sectors, highlighting the diverse fields of agriculture, sports, creative industries, and technology.

Enumerators will be deployed to all 774 local government areas, including remote communities, to ensure that no eligible youth is overlooked. Registration points have been established in secondary schools, polytechnics, universities, and colleges of education, with plans to extend coverage to local government and ward levels.

Olawande stated, "We want to know the youth in agriculture. We want to know the youth in sport. We want to know all those in creative tech and all that, so that even when we say some people need jobs, we know, okay, these people need skills." This data will enable the government to direct opportunities in both the public and private sectors effectively.

The initiative is not just a temporary measure but a long-term program aimed at continuously updating the database to include new entrants as they reach the minimum age of 15. Otunba Oluyinka Akerele, the Managing Director of POGMA Nigeria Limited, the technical partner for the project, urged the youth to participate actively in the registration process. He stated, "All we appeal to our youth to do is to embrace the programme, go out en masse and be registered. It is only when you are registered that we know who you are, where you are, and how you can benefit from the supposed government dividend of democracy."

The NYDB initiative aligns with Nigeria's National Youth Policy and is part of the government's broader strategy to enhance youth engagement and development. This launch comes alongside other programs aimed at reducing poverty and empowering young Nigerians through skills training and entrepreneurship, with a goal to lift five million Nigerians out of poverty within four years.

As the government rolls out this ambitious program, it remains crucial for young Nigerians to seize this opportunity to ensure their skills and needs are recognized and addressed effectively.