Youth empowerment critical to Nigeria’s economic growth – Expert

Yazid Salahudeen Mikail, a data scientist and international development professional, says empowering the nation’s teeming youth is crucial to job creation and by extension economic growth

Quoting statistics, Mikail said Nigeria has 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, with a significant portion being unemployed.

He spoke Thursday in Kaduna at an event organised by Thrive Agric in collaboration with Crust Microfinance Bank, with the theme, “Igniting Change and Driving Economic Growth.”

Mikail stressed the importance of educating youth and women on job creation skills, rather than relying solely on white-collar jobs.

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He identified several key challenges affecting youth and women’s development as cultural barriers; inadequate policy advocacy; lack of financial support; insufficient leadership and mentorship; limited partnership and collaboration; inadequate technology use; and capacity building.

“This is why gender inclusion is essential to the country’s economic drive. The government should invest in youth to advance the economy,” Mikail said.

In his remarks, Samuel Garba Sabo, regional manager program, Thrive Agric, urged youths to always be ready to start from the scratch.

Sabo called on the government at all levels to partner with private sectors to create more job opportunities for young people.