Nigeria Unveils Nat’l Youth Data Bank to Drive Evidence-Based Youth Development

Nigeria Unveils Nat’l Youth Data Bank to Drive Evidence-Based Youth Development

By Sarah Kitka

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, has launched the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), a strategic initiative designed to strengthen evidence-based planning, improve policy formulation and enhance the delivery of targeted youth development programmes and interventions across Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawand emphasised that the success of the National Youth Data Bank would depend on sustained collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government, state governments, educational institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society organisations and youth organisations.

He explained that the initiative goes beyond the collection and storage of data, noting that its broader objective is to improve the identification of young Nigerians and connect them with relevant opportunities in skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, internships, digital programmes and other youth-focused interventions.

Comrade Olawande stressed the importance of inclusion, privacy and responsible data management, noting that Nigerian youths have diverse circumstances shaped by geography, gender, educational background, economic status, disability, location and access to infrastructure.

He explained that the Data Bank is expected to improve the visibility of young people who may be underrepresented in existing datasets, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, while ensuring robust safeguards for data protection, accuracy and the responsible use of information entrusted to the system.

The launch marks the beginning of a long-term effort to translate reliable youth data into meaningful opportunities and measurable development outcomes, with the vision to “Know the Youth, Understand the Youth, Connect the Youth and Empower the Youth,” in support of a stronger and more inclusive Nigeria, he stated.

The Minister explained that the initiative forms part of the Federal Government’s broader youth development agenda, particularly in the areas of youth empowerment, job creation, skills development, digital transformation and human capital development.

He added that the Data Bank would strengthen the government’s capacity to identify emerging needs, design targeted interventions and connect young Nigerians with opportunities that are relevant to their skills, aspirations and circumstances.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources, Olaniepekun Akinwumi Adebayo, described the National Youth Data Bank as a significant milestone in strengthening youth development planning and ensuring that government interventions are guided by accurate, reliable and relevant information.

She noted that credible data on the educational and skills profiles, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, locations, aspirations and vulnerabilities of young Nigerians would be critical to effectively harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population.

Dr. Keshinro further noted that the Data Bank would provide an important platform for evidence-based policymaking, effective targeting of programmes, monitoring and evaluation, and improved coordination of youth development initiatives.

According to her, the platform would also support government institutions, development partners, the private sector and researchers in designing and implementing interventions that respond more effectively to the realities and aspirations of Nigerian youth.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development, Senator Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu, who was represented by Dr. Ijeoma Chilean, Clerk of the Senate Committee, hailed the National Youth Data Bank as a remarkable accomplishment towards advancing a more responsive, inclusive and evidence-based approach to youth development in Nigeria.

He noted that the initiative would provide reliable information on the country’s young population and support effective legislation, policy formulation, resource allocation and the design of targeted interventions.

Senator Adaramodu commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, POGMA Nigeria Limited and other stakeholders for their commitment to the development and implementation of the initiative.

The National Youth Data Bank is expected to serve as a central and structured platform for youth-related data, providing stakeholders with better insights into the demographic characteristics, skills, aspirations, needs and opportunities of young Nigerians, while supporting more coordinated and targeted youth development interventions.