The Federal Government (FG) has taken a decisive step towards professionalising youth work practice in the country, with the launch of a landmark workshop aimed at setting ethical, academic, and regulatory standards for the sector.
The Minister of Youth Development, Emmanuel Ayodele, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing participants at the workshop on the Professionalisation of Youth Work Practice.
READ ALSO: FG moves to end malnutrition as Shettima inaugurates nutrition 774 strategic board
The workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with Yakubu Gowon University (formerly University of Abuja), the Nigerian Youth Workers Association, and key civil society organisations.
Mr Ayodele emphasised that youth work should no longer be regarded as mere volunteerism but as a critical professional field that requires structure, ethics, and specialised skills to meet the evolving challenges faced by young people in Nigeria.
“This workshop reflects our deep belief that youth work is not just volunteerism—it is a vital professional field that must be grounded in ethics, capacity, and standards to meet the complex needs of today’s youth,” Mr Ayodele said.
The minister explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which prioritises youth empowerment and development as central to national growth.
According to him, the government is adopting globally recognised training frameworks, including the Commonwealth Youth Programme Diploma, and supporting higher academic pathways through institutions like Yakubu Gowon University.
Mr Ayodele revealed that the FG’s roadmap includes plans to introduce licensing, certification, and structured academic progression for youth workers—from diploma to doctorate levels—to make the profession both respectable and rewarding.
“Our vision is anchored on three key pillars: setting professional standards and ethics, establishing academic routes for human capital development, and building a strong regulatory framework to support the profession,” he said.
READ ALSO: FG revenue hits ₦6.9trn in four months -Edun
He stressed that the goal is not only to enhance qualifications but to ensure that those working directly with Nigerian youth are fully prepared to shape the next generation of leaders.
Mr Ayodele called on all stakeholders to recommit themselves to the mission of empowering young people and transforming the nation through structured youth development services.
