History was made today in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as young Nigerians, government officials, and development partners gathered to commemorate the World Youth Skills Day — marking the first time the state is officially observing the global event since it was established by the United Nations in 2015.
While Nigeria marked its 10th official celebration of the day, it was a maiden edition for Akwa Ibom State, and the event provided a remarkable opportunity to foster synergy between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Akwa Ibom State Government on youth-focused initiatives.
At the colourful event, two major grassroots-driven programmes were unveiled: NiYA Ambassadors, aimed at extending the reach of the Nigerian Youth Academy through a network of community-based change agents, and the Bamboo Youth Empowerment Programme — an innovative collaboration involving the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Akwa Ibom State Government, and the National Bamboo Farmers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NBFPMAN). The initiative seeks to harness the economic and environmental potential of bamboo to create green jobs and sustainable livelihoods for young people.
In a significant policy stride, it was also revealed that Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has established a dedicated Ministry for Youth Development, a development traced to a previous advocacy visit by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. This move was hailed as a bold step towards harmonizing federal and state-level youth interventions for greater impact.
The event further featured the unveiling of the proposed Arise Youth-Friendly Hub — a multipurpose centre designed to nurture innovation, provide mentorship, and empower young people within the state. The hub is modelled after the national Youth House initiative, serving as a convergence point for youth-driven activities, entrepreneurship, and dialogue.
Participants and dignitaries at the event reaffirmed their commitment to building a future where Nigerian youths are equipped with skills, platforms, and opportunities to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy.
The commemoration underscores Nigeria’s growing emphasis on practical youth empowerment and community-based initiatives, as stakeholders pledged to continue fostering inclusive, collaborative, and locally relevant youth development programmes.
