FG launches nationwide registration for youths aged 15–35

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a nationwide registration drive for youths aged between 15 and 35, in an effort to identify their skills, needs, and locations. The initiative, known as the National Youth Data Bank (NYDB), aims to connect young Nigerians with opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, inaugurated the project in Abuja, emphasizing that the registration would encompass those in both formal and informal sectors, including those in agriculture, sports, and the creative and technology industries.

Olawande explained that reliable data on young Nigerians would enable the government to better understand the demographic breakdown of the youth population, as well as their abilities and the opportunities they require. He stressed that the database would help answer crucial questions such as "who are our young people?", "where are they?", "what can they do?", and "what opportunities do they need?".

The government's objective is to ensure that both the formal and informal youth sectors participate in the registration process, with cluster points established in educational institutions, local government areas, and wards across the country. The Technical Partner of the project, POGMA Nigeria Limited, has created registration points in schools, polytechnics, universities, and colleges of education, while enumerators will be deployed to register youths in all 774 local government areas, including those in remote communities.

Otunba Oluyinka Akerele, Managing Director/CEO of POGMA Nigeria Limited, encouraged young Nigerians to embrace the programme by registering en masse. He stressed that those under 15 will be captured in the database as they reach the eligible age, similar to how the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) updates its voter registry.