The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar Badaru, has called for greater involvement of Nigerian youths in national defence, security, and development, citing their potential as key drivers of progress.
The Minister made this assertion during a lecture titled, “Leveraging Nigeria’s Digital Economy to Enhance National Security: Youth Empowerment and Job Creation,” delivered to participants of Executive Course 46 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru.
In his address, delivered by Special Adviser (Technical) Major General A.T. Jibrin (Rtd), Badaru highlighted the crucial link between youth empowerment, the digital economy, and national security.
He noted that with over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 25, the country has a unique opportunity to harness this demographic for positive change.
“The Nigerian youth hold the key to transforming the nation’s defence and security landscape if properly empowered,” Badaru said.
He emphasized that government programs such as the Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS), the Youth Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture in Nigeria (YISA), the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Youth Enterprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN), the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), and N-Power could be instrumental in turning youths into agents of national development if effectively implemented.
Badaru pointed to the global examples of youth mobilization, referencing the Arab Spring and Nigeria’s #ENDSARS protests, and stressed the importance of channeling youthful energy constructively.
He acknowledged the limitations of past empowerment initiatives but called for renewed efforts to ensure the faithful implementation of government policies.
The Minister also outlined the opportunities within Nigeria’s digital economy, advocating for multi-stakeholder collaboration to close the digital divide, address unemployment, and equip youths with the skills necessary for a rapidly evolving job market.
“By investing in digital infrastructure, innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship, Nigeria can unlock the transformative power of its youth demographic and drive sustainable economic growth,” he stated.
Badaru’s lecture underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian youths are not only empowered but also meaningfully engaged in efforts to secure the country’s future.
The event was part of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies’ ongoing executive course, aimed at providing strategic insights into national development challenges and opportunities.
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