The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, says President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing reforms will soon make Nigeria attractive enough for Nigerians living abroad to return home.
Olawande made this statement over the weekend while speaking to journalists during the coronation anniversary of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, in Ondo State.
According to the minister, the federal government is working hard to rebuild young people’s trust in the country by making them feel included in leadership and economic development.
“Everything the president is doing now is for the future,” Olawande said. “Very soon, people will prefer to stay in Nigeria than abroad because the country is being stabilised.”
He said that for a long time, Nigerian youths have felt disconnected from governance, but the current administration is closing the gap through new policies, skill-building, and education-focused programmes.
“We are putting structures in place—skills, education, partnerships—to bring the youth back into the fold,” he said. “Every Nigerian should have at least two skills to remain employable or even become an employer.”
Olawande also spoke about his recent visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he held talks on international collaboration for youth development. He described the engagement as historic and a sign of growing global confidence in Nigeria’s youth-focused reforms.
At the event, the Deji of Akure honoured Olawande with a youth leadership service award in recognition of his efforts in empowering young Nigerians and contributing to national development.
