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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has launched the National Youth Data Bank to improve the identification of young Nigerians and connect them with jobs, skills development, entrepreneurship, internships, digital programmes and other intervention opportunities.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative would also strengthen evidence-based planning and improve policy formulation for youth development.
Speaking at the launch, Olawande said the success of the data bank would depend on collaboration among Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, educational institutions, development partners, the private sector, civil society and youth organisations.
He said the initiative went beyond data collection and storage to building a platform that could better identify young Nigerians and connect them with opportunities.
Olawande stressed the importance of inclusion, privacy and responsible data management, noting that young Nigerians had different circumstances based on geography, gender, education, economic status, disability and access to infrastructure.
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He said the Data Bank was expected to improve the visibility of youths who may be underrepresented in existing datasets, particularly those in rural and underserved communities.
The minister said the platform would also strengthen government’s ability to identify emerging needs, design targeted interventions and connect young people with opportunities relevant to their skills and aspirations.
Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, represented by the Director, Human Resources, Olanipekun Akinwunmi Adebayo, described the initiative as a major step towards improving youth development planning.
She said credible information on educational and skills profiles, employment status, entrepreneurial interests, location, aspirations and vulnerabilities would help government design more effective programmes.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development, Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, represented by the Clerk of the committee, Dr Ijeoma Chilean, said the Data Bank would support legislation, policy formulation, resource allocation and targeted intervention.
The platform is expected to serve as a central repository for youth-related data and provide better insight into the skills, needs, aspirations and opportunities of young Nigerians.
