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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
As the registration for the Youth Data Protection Awareness & Training (YDPAT) programme closes, the Federal Government has announced that 58,820 young Nigerians have signed up from all six geopolitical zones, a strong signal of how eager Nigerian youth are to learn about data protection, digital awareness and personal growth.
In a statement, Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, applauded the overwhelming response, describing it as proof of the commitment of young people to nation-building.
He assured that every single registrant would benefit from the ministry’s broader youth development initiatives. While the training will begin with an initial cohort of 5,000 participants carefully selected to ensure fair representation across the country, the remaining registrants would still be engaged through other relevant programmes of the ministry so that no youth is left out.
The statement further stated that the YDPAT training would run in a hybrid format that combines online and physical sessions, making it accessible to participants regardless of their location.
“Registration officially closed in the first week of September 2025, and the selection of participants is now under way.
“The process will continue throughout September, with the announcement and accreditation of selected individuals scheduled for October. Virtual training is set to begin in November, followed by physical sessions in December 2025,” the statement noted.
As the programme enters its critical phase, the ministry is calling on development partners, private sector stakeholders and state governments to support and collaborate on the YDPAT initiative.
The minister stressed that with collective effort, the reach and impact of the programme can be significantly expanded, allowing even more young Nigerians to benefit from digital inclusion and data literacy.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth Development remains committed to raising a digitally aware and empowered generation, one capable of protecting its rights in the digital age, while contributing meaningfully to the growth and security of Nigeria’s data-driven economy,” the statement noted.
