FG to Launch SEP Programmes to Empower, Support Youth
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to closing the trust gap between government and Nigerian youth through targeted empowerment, protection, and inclusion programmes.
This assurance was given in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Gender Matters to the Minister of Youth Development, Kehinde Awujoola, during the launch of the “Put Us at the Centre” research report produced by Plan International Nigeria.
The report highlights the experiences of children and young people in the North-East, particularly around humanitarian support and the effects of declining funding for vulnerable communities.
Awujoola said the ministry is developing a “SEP” framework—Support, Empower, and Protect—designed to address challenges facing young people, including safety concerns, limited access to education, and lack of economic opportunities.
She acknowledged growing distrust among young Nigerians toward government institutions, noting that many now ignore opportunities due to a belief that their voices are not being heard.
According to her, rebuilding confidence will require consistent engagement and practical interventions.
The ministry has also introduced initiatives such as a Youth Help Desk to address concerns, including police-related complaints, as well as a Waste to Wealth programme aimed at equipping unemployed graduates with income-generating skills.
Stakeholders at the event welcomed the government’s renewed commitment but stressed the importance of accountability, sustainability, and long-term programming in youth development interventions.
Representatives from development organisations and youth advocacy groups called for stronger collaboration, greater inclusion of young people in decision-making, and a shift from short-term projects to sustainable community-based solutions.
The Put Us at the Centre report, based on consultations with 132 participants across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States, further emphasises the need for child-centred and youth-inclusive policies in humanitarian and development planning.
