By Ahmed Ahmed
The federal government says it intends to deepen youth participation across these sectors through stronger collaboration between public institutions and industry players. At the centre of the effort is a plan to link young people with opportunities in tourism, entertainment, sports, agriculture, and other growth areas that can stimulate entrepreneurship and income generation.
Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, outlined this direction while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority during a recent courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. The meeting focused on how both institutions can work together to channel Nigeria’s youthful energy into productive economic activity.
Mr. Olawande said that the government is prioritising sectors that offer practical opportunities for innovation and enterprise. According to him, tourism stands out as one of the most promising areas because it connects culture, creativity, and commerce.
He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a powerful economic asset if properly engaged. By encouraging young people to participate in sectors such as entertainment, agriculture, education, sports, and tourism, the government hopes to stimulate new businesses and strengthen livelihoods.
The minister also pointed out that tourism remains one of the least explored pathways for youth empowerment in the country. While Nigeria possesses rich cultural traditions, historical sites, and diverse communities, many young people are yet to recognise the economic possibilities within their immediate environments.
Through structured programmes and partnerships, he said, the ministry aims to help young Nigerians transform cultural assets into viable enterprises.
Mr. Olawande emphasised that the effort will require coordinated action across multiple government institutions. Agencies such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are expected to play strategic roles in expanding access to training, enterprise support, and youth participation across sectors.
According to him, stronger inter-ministerial cooperation will help align youth development initiatives with broader national economic priorities. He added that partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders will be essential in building an ecosystem where young entrepreneurs can thrive.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, also stressed the need to expose young Nigerians to opportunities within the country’s tourism landscape. She observed that many youths remain unaware of the economic value embedded in Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Dr. Keshinro explained that a more structured approach to tourism development could open pathways for youth led enterprises in areas such as cultural exhibitions, local festivals, hospitality services, and heritage preservation.
Beyond employment, she said the strategy could also strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural presence by showcasing the country’s traditions, arts, and heritage to international audiences.
The Director- General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Dr. Ola Awakan, reinforced the argument that youth participation will be central to the sector’s transformation. Describing Nigeria as a microcosm of stories, he noted that the country possesses a vast reservoir of cultural narratives that remain largely untapped.
According to him, these stories extend beyond folklore. They include cuisine, music, art, traditional festivals, architecture, and local histories that can attract both domestic and international tourists when properly developed.
Dr. Awakan said the tourism value chain offers a wide range of entry points for young people. Opportunities exist not only in hospitality services but also in cultural tourism, culinary experiences, heritage management, entertainment, and digital storytelling.
He stated that the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority will continue to pursue its mandate of marketing Nigeria as a tourism destination, developing tourist sites, and regulating tourism activities at the federal level.
For policymakers, the renewed focus on tourism and the creative economy reflects a broader shift in development thinking. Rather than relying solely on traditional industries, attention is gradually moving toward sectors that combine culture, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
