FG moves to professionalise youth work for national devt.

 

By Our Correspondent

The Federal Government has announced plans to institutionalise youth development by formally recognising Youth Work as a distinct profession in Nigeria.

Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this in Abuja at a workshop on the professionalisation of youth development work practice in Nigeria.

The theme of the workshop was “The Nexus between Professionalisation of Youth Work and the Demographic Dividends”.

Olawande cited global best practices in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where youth work was a structured profession with recognised qualifications, regulatory bodies, and clear career paths.

“In the UK, for instance, professional youth workers are equipped to deliver targeted interventions that enhance young people’s learning, mental well-being, and social engagement.

“Canada and Australia also have robust frameworks that ensure youth workers are trained to meet the diverse needs of young people.

“These successes didn’t happen by chance; they are results of deliberate investments in the people who work with youth,” the minister said.

He stated that the ministry was committed to empowering young Nigerians with the skills and opportunities needed for national progress.

He said the professionalisation of youth work in Nigeria would be anchored on three core pillars: Professional Ethics, Standards, and Competency.

This, he said, would be Academic Pathways for Human Capital Development and Robust Regulatory Frameworks

As a demonstration of his personal commitment, Olawande signed up as a pioneer student for the programme.

He also announced that the ministry would adopt and adapt the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Diploma in Youth Work training modules as a starting point.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasised that youth workers’ contributions had long been undervalued in Nigeria.

He said the ministry was now taking deliberate steps to address this by creating frameworks that would elevate youth workers into certified and competent professionals.

“This process will not only improve their recognition but also significantly enhance the quality of youth development across the country,” he said.

He stressed the need for licensing and certification, which would provide formal recognition and validate the competence of qualified youth workers.

Olawande reiterated that professionalisation is a strategic method to enhance the impact of youth development.

“Good intentions alone are not enough to meet the complex demands of a rapidly changing society,” he said.

He emphasised that the adapted curriculum would ensure relevance to both global standards and Nigeria’s national competency framework.e

He explained that the educational pathway would span foundational certificates to postgraduate and doctorate degrees in youth development.

“The Postgraduate Programme in Youth Development Work by the University of Abuja now Yakubu Gowon University becomes critical, forming the foundation for professionalising the discipline.

“Youth workers are not just facilitators; they are the engine room of the nation’s future,” he noted.

In his remarks, Olusanya described youth workers as “frontline mentors, compassionate guides, and tireless advocates” who engaged daily with the aspirations and challenges of millions of Nigerian youth.

“It is a bold and deliberate commitment to elevate youth development work into a recognised, respected, and functional field in Nigeria,” he said.

He however added that their influence had not received the structural support it deserved.

Olusanya stressed the need for formal training to enhance youth workers’ abilities to design impactful programmes, manage complex solutions, and integrate emerging technologies.

He also highlighted the importance of character formation rooted in ethics, accountability, and empathy.

Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja now Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Patricia Lar, lauded the Ministry and the Nigeria Youth Workers Association for their commitment.

She said the initiative marked a major milestone in aligning policy, academia, and practice.

She revealed that a high-level meeting would soon follow to launch the professionalisation framework and build national consensus.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, said the move aimed to institutionalise youth work by establishing clear frameworks, professional standards, and academic pathways.

“By situating youth work within a structured system of knowledge and empirical evidence, the government aims to enhance its legitimacy and impact.

“The government will also ensure that those who support youth development are equipped, acknowledged, and professionally empowered,” he said.(https://newsatlarge.ng)