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FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government

FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government
By: Michael Mike
The federal government is currently planning to push for 30 percent inclusion in government in the country.
Speaking at the commemoration of the International Youth Day in Abuja, Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio disclosed that efforts were ongoing to enact a law that will guarantee a 30 per cent inclusion of youth in government in Nigeria.
At the event rganised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, with the theme “Forging the Future: Youth-Led MSMEs Innovating with Digital Solutions to Secure Sustainable Growth, Global Trade, and Resilient Food and Energy Systems”, the Minister said the current government was doing a lot for the youth, adding that the Federal Executive Council had approved a 30 per cent inclusion for youths in the country.
She however said the intention was to institutionalise the policy, disclosing that her office was currently working with the national assembly to pass a law that will give the youth a seat at the table.
She said: “The Federal Executive Council approved the institutionalization, not just as a policy now, but taking a bill to the parliament and we solicit support we can get to ensure that this bill is advocated for and it is passed into law to ensure 30% minimum, 30% youth inclusion in government across all tiers of government
“If we have 48 ministers on the cabinet, we’re talking about, if this bill is passed, we’re saying we’ll have at least 15 young people under the age of 40 in the cabinet in the next dispensation.
“So we seek your support to help us have more voices to speak to the challenges that young people face.”
She said the inclusion of more youth in decision and governance would enhance rapid development both in policy making and financial autonomy for nation-building.
The Minister said the dialogue was a significant step towards President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goal to build young entrepreneurs.
The Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, Ms Elsie G. Attafuah, in her welcome address said over 250 MSMEs from across Nigeria registered for the event, saying it was a testament to the innovative spirit and collaborative drive Nigerian youth possess.
She said: “73% of entrepreneurs here are between 18 and 35 years old, highlighting the significant role young people play in driving digital startups and business innovation. 60% have tertiary-level education, leveraging their knowledge to innovate, particularly in agriculture, technology, and services.
“Yet, despite this foundation, challenges remain — 49% of these businesses earn up to only 1 million Naira annually, underscoring the struggle to scale amid broader economic constraints.”
She noted that despite the strong foundation of educated and experienced young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, significant barriers still prevent many from fully realising their potential.
She said the UNDP is an integrator and the lead agency for the SDGs, adding: “That’s why my colleagues and our government partners are here today—to listen to you and, more importantly, to leverage your insights as we design our next set of actions for youth businesses in Nigeria.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said: “According to International Labour Organisation’s World Employment and Social Outlook Report, globally, nearly 1 in 4 young people (23.5 per cent or 289 million) were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in 2023. Here, the National Bureau of Statistics puts the youth unemployment rate at 13.4 percent in 2023.”
She added that: “Evidently, the current state of youth unemployment and underemployment in Nigeria demands immediate attention and action. The consequences of this situation, including frustration and social unrest among youth and families, are severe and immediate. With over 60percent of Nigeria’s population under 25, initiatives like this are urgently needed.
“As policymakers, we have since recognise the unique perspectives, creativity, and energy that young people bring towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.With the ICT sector now contributing about 13 percent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), youth-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are using available technology to expand the productive capacity of the economy.
“Of the about 41.5 million registered small businesses in Nigeria, SMEs sub-sector accounts for 96 percent of total businesses in the country and have contributed about 50 percent to the national GDP (NBS, 2023). Undoubtedly, this sub-sector is crucial to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.”
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Mohamed Fall said: “In recent years, the world has witnessed unprecedented changes driven by digital innovation. Across the globe, youth are leading this charge, utilizing technology to create businesses, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In Africa, where the youth population is rapidly expanding, the digital economy offers a unique opportunity to accelerate economic growth, reduce unemployment, and create sustainable livelihoods.
He added that: “According to the concept note prepared for this Youth Engagement Week, digital transformation is one of the six pivotal transitions that can catalyze progress across the SDGs. With over two-thirds of the world now online and mobile phone subscriptions surpassing 8.63 billion in 2022, the digital landscape offers a fertile ground for innovation and economic development. In Nigeria, as in many African nations, young people are already harnessing the power of technology to drive change. They are not just participants in the digital revolution; they are its leaders, its visionaries, and its most ardent advocates.
Today’s youth are digital pioneers. They are using mobile devices, digital platforms, and cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to create new opportunities and solve complex challenges. This digital revolution is directly linked to over 70% of the 169 SDG targets, making it a crucial tool in our efforts to achieve sustainable development.
“In Nigeria, young entrepreneurs are developing innovative solutions that address critical issues such as food security, climate change, and access to education. From digital agriculture platforms that connect farmers with markets to fintech solutions that make financial services accessible to all, young Nigerians are proving that technology can be a powerful force for good.
“As we look across Africa, we see similar stories of innovation and resilience. Youth-led businesses are thriving in the digital economy, capitalizing on opportunities within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand their reach and impact. These young entrepreneurs are not just building businesses; they are building the future of Africa—a future where technology is leveraged to create inclusive and sustainable growth.
“However, as we celebrate these achievements, we must also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead. Digital transformation is not without its obstacles. Access to technology remains unequal, particularly in rural areas, where infrastructure is often lacking. Digital literacy, too, varies widely, with many young people lacking the skills needed to fully participate in the digital economy.”
FG: Youth to get 30 percent Inclusion in Government
News
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani

Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have executed a coordinated strike on a major terrorist enclave located at Maisani in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State, killing several ISWAP terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air interdiction mission conducted on May 4, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, was informed by credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, targeted terrorists’ structures cleverly concealed and camouflaged under thick shrubs in the area.
The sources said that using advanced platforms, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a focused Air Interdiction (AI) mission, resulting in the destruction of the identified enemy hideouts and the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of insurgent fighters.
According to the sources, Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) obtained from our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms confirmed that the airstrike achieved its intended objectives, dealing a significant blow to terrorists.
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
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Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting

Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting
By: Michael Mike
As the world marks the 2025 Environment Day, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has appealed to the World Bank for support on capacity building, data and in addressing the challenges poised by Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) in the country.
Head of Department, National Accounts Energy and Environment at the NBS, Dr. Baba Madu made the appeal at the 2025 Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Conference on Thursday in Abuja with support from the World Bank in. collaboration with the NBS and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Madu while noting that the NCA was a new area Nigeria must exploit to further boost the nation’s economy, said for Nigeria to grow and be at par with other developed nations, there was need to account for her natural resources.
He said: “NCA has been tasked with the crucial role of integrating natural capital into economic measurement. It is impossible to measure the economy accurately without accounting for natural resources. Issues such as environmental degradation, afforestation, desertification, and climate change all directly impact productivity.
“Productivity in turn, influences output—one of the core components of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These environmental factors must be reflected across all economic activity sectors to present a more accurate picture of national output.”
While stating that Nigeria currently has data on NCA in Nigeria, the NBS official however raised concerns over the huge data gap from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the environment sector.
He said: “We are not doing badly but we need to improve on what we are doing. In terms of data sources, I can tell you there’s a big gap because these are new areas needed to be exploited.”
Programme Leader on Sustainable Development at the World Bank, Vina Vutukuru, said there was need to jointly
explore the vital role of national accounting in national development plans and to brainstorm on how Nigeria could institutionalize it.
He said: “Establishing the national capital accounting as part of the national account system will allow us to measure the economic value of ecosystem services such as clean air, water and biodiversity which are essential for our well-being and economic prosperity.”
Vutukuru commended Nigeria for having “very bold ambitions” as far as responding to climate change was concerned saying, “That shows the commitment of the policy makers here towards the issue of climate.
“But I think to back up that aspiration and the aggressive goals that Nigeria has set for itself, the foundational thing for those goals to materialize those objectives to come true is a very strong natural account system.”
Head of Media, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Chioma Azie who represented her Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe at the event, described Nigeria as a very ambitious country, stressing that natural resources was instrumental to achieving all the objective of climate action.
She said: “Technology, policy reforms, behavioral changes has a role to play but natural resources is very key because they’re underpinning the mitigation and adaptation for climate action.
“If you look at Nigeria’s NDC, the NCA is an avenue to provide raw materials that we could use to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.
“If you look at what we have done in terms of this NDC in 2020.which is the second leg of the NDC, we identified a lot of mitigation activities within this mentioned sectors of ours. In agricultural sector we talked about smart agriculture. What is smart agriculture without natural resources?
“We talked about biomass, what is biomass without natural resources? We also spoke about land use changes and that is natural resources, we talk about natural solutions and we talked about also afforestation, reafforestation. Those are mitigation potentials of our NDC. So, we cannot achieve our NDC without SEEA.
“What you cannot be able to account for is recorded as if it is not done so if we know what is existing in terms of the reservoirs we have for natural resources, it can inform the scope of the mitigation activities we’re going to be imputing in the NDC 3.0,” she said.
Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting
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NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible

NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible
.. Says Police Service Commission Not Denied Access
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said all its verification service platforms are functional and accessible to all partners including all security agencies.
The Commission, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Dr. Kayode Adegoke said it is aware of the purported ”inability of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to access the NIMC verification server,” insisting that the “information is not only misleading but also inaccurate.”
Adegoke said: “To set the record straight, the NIMC granted verification access to all Nigerian Police formations for the verification of the National Identification Number (NIN). The NPF, PSC and other security agencies have been enjoying uninterrupted verification services for over five years.
“NIMC has provided top-notch verification services for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, as conducted by the PSC and at no time have there been any complaints or issues regarding NIN Verification by the NPF or PSC.”
Adegoke, in the statement, claimed that: “The Commission has a robust and harmonious working relationship with the Nigerian Police Force and the Police Service Commission. The Information Communications and Technology (ICT) department of the Nigeria Police Force is actively managing the long-standing verification and integration service between the NIMC and all Nigeria Police formations. NIMC will continue to provide flawless verification services for the purpose of recruitment, security mapping, cybercrime control, and any other security matters.”
He explained that: “The framework by which NIMC provides services to the security agencies was recently restructured for standardization and effective implementation, following consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and NPF has confirmed the verification services have continued to be available. We therefore believe that any service interruption experienced by PSC may be due to internal matters.”
He promised that: “NIMC is committed to providing excellent verification services to the PSC, NPF and all its partners but the terms and conditions inherent must be adhered to for uninterrupted flow of service.”
NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible
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