The federal government has taken a decisive step toward institutionalizing youth development by seeking formal recognition of youth work as a distinct profession in Nigeria.

The move, being championed by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in partnership with the University of Abuja, the Nigeria Youth Workers Association (NYWA), and other critical stakeholders, follows the approval of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It also aligns with the resolutions of the National Council on Youth Development, held in Maiduguri in December 2024, which endorsed the need for the professionalisation of youth work practice in Nigeria.

The workshop, organised to kick-start the transformative agenda of professionalising youth work in Nigeria, had the theme “The Nexus between Professionalisation of Youth Work and the Demographic Dividends” and was held at the University of Abuja.

In his remarks, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, highlighted global best practices, citing countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where youth work is recognised as a structured profession with established qualifications, regulatory bodies, and career pathways.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Referring to Nigeria, the minister reiterated the ministry’s commitment to empowering young people with relevant skills and opportunities to drive national progress.

He further explained that the professionalisation of youth work in Nigeria would be anchored on three core pillars: professional ethics, standards, and competency; academic pathways for human capital development; and robust regulatory frameworks.

The minister, who signed up for the course as a demonstration of commitment and as a pioneer student for the programme, disclosed that as a starting point, the ministry will adopt and adapt the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Diploma in Youth Work training modules.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, in his speech, emphasised that the contributions of youth workers in Nigeria have long been undervalued.

“The ministry is now taking deliberate steps to fill this gap by creating frameworks that will 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 stated.

Also speaking at the event, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar, commended the ministry and the Nigeria Youth Workers Association for their unwavering efforts and advocacy.

She noted that the initiative marks a significant milestone in the convergence of policy, academia, and practice while revealing that the official launch of the professionalisation framework would follow a high-level meeting aimed at consolidating efforts and building national consensus.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, mentioned that the move seeks to institutionalise the contributions of youth workers by establishing clear frameworks, professional standards, and academic pathways that ground youth work within a specialised domain of practice and scholarship.

“By situating youth work within a structured system of knowledge and empirical evidence, the government aims to enhance its legitimacy and impact, ensuring that those who support youth development are equipped, acknowledged, and professionally empowered,” Olaopa affirmed.