The federal government has officially launched YO! Health, a youth-focused health awareness initiative, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and equipping young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools to take charge of their health.

Unveiled by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, Friday, the initiative is meant to address growing health concerns among young people by providing access to credible health information, encouraging preventive healthcare, and promoting mental, sexual and physical well-being.

Comrade Olawande said the programme will improve access to essential health services while promoting awareness, education, preventive care and foster active community participation among youth.

“This initiative is built on six strategic pillars: mental health, alcohol, drug and substance abuse, communicable diseases, health insurance (especially for youth in the informal sector), non-communicable diseases, and sexual and reproductive health,” Olawande stated.

He noted that these pillars were not selected arbitrarily but grounded in data and lived experiences of young Nigerians across the country.

Olawande further highlighted that YO! Health is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, alongside partners from the civil society, international development agencies, the private sector and youth organizations.

Also speaking at the launch, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Olubunmi Olusanya, described the initiative as a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to creating an environment where young people can thrive mentally, physically, and emotionally.