The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has led a strategic mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to foster international collaborations that will strengthen youth innovation, digital skills, and enterprise development in Nigeria.
During his visit, the Minister met with the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa) to explore partnership opportunities that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)—a flagship initiative aimed at empowering over 7 million young Nigerians through digital training, civic engagement, and global opportunities.
“The mission of Sheraa aligns with our vision to connect Nigerian youth to global innovation ecosystems,” the Minister stated.
In a major announcement, the Minister unveiled a new partnership with GITEX Global to launch the National Digital Innovation Showcase in Nigeria from September 1st to 4th, 2025.
The event will provide a global platform for 300 promising Nigerian startups to gain visibility, access international markets, and receive targeted support for growth. The initiative is in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), led by Director-General Dr. Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi.
The Minister also confirmed that over 210,000 youth have already joined the NiYA programme, with Green House Centres being established in all 774 local government areas to provide access to training, enterprise support, and emerging technologies.
To sustain global exposure, a GITEX Youth Local Showcase Series – Powered by NiYA is also underway, aiming to connect Nigerian talent to global platforms like GITEX Africa and GITEX Global.
In addition, the Minister held strategic talks with H.E. Omar Al Olama, UAE Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Discussions covered AI education, startup incubation, BPO, and remote work—key sectors for youth employment and economic transformation.
“Our goal is to position young Nigerians not just as participants, but as innovators and leaders in the global digital economy,” Comrade Olawande said.
These engagements reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to creating global opportunities for Nigerian youth and building a future-ready generation.
