The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on Tuesday launched the Nigerian Youth Employment Action Plan (NIYEAP 2009-2011).
The government reiterated its commitment to mobilize the energies and capacities of the youth to minimize the risks to national security posed by rising unemployment.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare said the launch confirmed the commitment of the Buhari administration to continue to facilitate an enabling environment that will create about 3.7 million jobs annually.
He stressed that youths should be regarded as a viable investment to yield positive benefits for all spheres of our socio-economic progress, rather than a group targeted for periodic empowerment interventions.
“It is important to state that the economic and social consequences of youth unemployment transcend the youth group. It has also resulted in missed economic opportunities for the nation.
“This is because youth inclusion is about skilled human capital, social and economic stability, a vibrant and healthy labor force, which will also engender political stability and national growth and development”, Dare said.
The minister said since he assumed office, the ministry has concentrated efforts on moving youth development interventions from the empowerment model to a sustainable system.
He added that the action plan emphasizes the 4Es: Employability, Entrepreneurship Development, Employment Creation, and Equality and Rights.
The 4Es are further delineated into strategic lines of action under each theme, with emphasis on sectors that have high job creation potential.
They include Digital Economy, Rural Economy, Green Economy and Renewable energy sector, Manufacturing, Tourism, Construction, and Services.
