Youths, under the auspices of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ogun State chapter, have urged the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to create a Youth Ministry and subsequently appoint a commissioner to oversee its affairs.
The NYCN made the passionate appeal in a letter dated 27 June 2025, signed by the State Chairman, Akolawole Shoremi, and the Secretary, Comrade ‘Dotun Opaleye.
The youth body expressed concern over the continued absence of a functional ministry solely focused on youth affairs.
The council said that while it recognises the administration’s efforts, including the May 2023 unbundling of the defunct Ministry of Youth and Sports and various youth support initiatives, these have fallen short of the strategic coordination required to meet the needs of Ogun’s young population.
“While we appreciate your efforts and commitment to improving our welfare through the May 2023 pronouncement unbundling the defunct Ministry of Youth & Sports, periodic financial supports, various ad hoc arrangements and the promotion of youth-focused initiatives within existing ministries, these measures have proven insufficient to address the unique and multifaceted needs of our young people comprehensively and strategically,” the group said.
The youth leaders warned that the continued absence of such a ministry could lead to social disengagement, increased youth vulnerability to vices, economic stagnation, and erosion of trust between young people and the government.
“The non-existence of a Ministry for Youth Development, since its pronouncement, sends an unintended but nonetheless disheartening message – that the concerns, aspirations, and potential of the young people of Ogun State are probably not prioritised with the same focused attention as other crucial sectors.
“This perceived attitude has burdened the youth constituency with a sense of disappointment and marginalisation, hindering our ability to fully contribute to the progress and prosperity of the Gateway State,” the group added.
They urged the Governor, who also serves as the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, to use the opportunity to show leadership and commitment to youth inclusion.
Below is the letter written by the NYCN Ogun Chapter to the State Governor, Prince (Dr) Dapo Abiodun, CON
June 27, 2025.
His Excellency
Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON.
The Executive Governor of Ogun State
Governor’s Office
Abeokuta
Dear Sir,
A PLEA FOR THE HEART OF OGUN: ESTABLISHING A MINISTRY FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSIONER AND OTHER YOUTH RELATED MATTERS.
We write on behalf of the State Management Committee of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, representing over one thousand youth organizations across Ogun State and spanning over three million young people, with a heart filled with both understanding and a deep sense of urgency. The youth leadership is acutely aware of the multifaceted responsibilities and significant demands that rest upon your shoulders as the Leader of our beloved Ogun State. The task of governance is undoubtedly complex, often requiring difficult decisions and the careful allocation of limited resources across numerous pressing needs. Mr. Governor, we acknowledge and empathize with you on these inherent challenges.
However, it is with profound concern that we must once again bring to your attention a matter of critical importance to the very fabric and future of our State: the worrisome lack of an established and functional Ministry for Youth Development, led by a dedicated Commissioner.
For too long, the vibrant and dynamic youth constituency of Ogun State, the largest and unarguably the most energetic segment of our society, has experienced a palpable fear of being sidelined. While we appreciate your efforts and commitment to improving our welfare through the May 2023 pronouncement unbundling the defunct Ministry of Youth & Sports, periodic financial supports, various ad-hoc arrangements and the promotion of youth-focused initiatives within existing Ministries, these measures have proven insufficient to address the unique and multifaceted needs of our young people comprehensively and strategically.
The non-existence of a Ministry for Youth Development, since its pronouncement, sends an unintended but nonetheless disheartening message – that the concerns, aspirations, and potential of the young people of Ogun State are probably not prioritized with the same focused attention as other crucial sectors. This perceived attitude has burdened the youth constituency with a sense of disappointment and marginalization, hindering our ability to fully contribute to the progress and prosperity of the Gateway State.
Your Excellency, the National Youth Council of Nigeria, under our leadership, has consistently strived to be a reliable partner in progress through the following means:
1. We have championed peace and social cohesion by working tirelessly to mediate disputes and promote understanding amongst diverse youth groups across the length and breadth of Ogun State.
2. We’ve facilitated civic engagement by encouraging young people to participate actively in governance processes and community development initiatives, referencing our several voter’s education, election monitoring, electoral debates and account of stewardship at the Local Government, Senatorial and State Levels.
3. We’ve promoted skills acquisition and entrepreneurship by either collaborating or spearheading programs aimed at empowering youths with the tools for economic independence, including the facilitation of business grants under your administration.
4. We’ve served and continue to serve as a vital communication bridge, conveying the needs and aspirations of the youth to relevant authorities and disseminating crucial information back to our constituency. This included strategic advocacy visits and engagements with you, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker, the Secretary to the State Government, notable Commissioners and other relevant stakeholders.
5. We’ve mobilized youth for positive social actions, enabling our young people to participate actively in state-led initiatives and contributing to the overall well-being of Ogun State. This includes partnership and initiation of fora against cultism and anti-drug activities, with evidences of actions available on request.
Our dear Governor, despite these consistent efforts, the lack of a dedicated Ministry often leaves the youth leadership navigating bureaucratic bottlenecks and struggling for the focused attention required to effectively address the pressing issues facing our youth – issues ranging from a dwindled inclusion in governance as evident through the lack of a Ministry for Youth Development, skills gaps to civic apathy and social vices, and insufficient allocation of resources to youth empowerment and capacity building.
Your Excellency, the continued absence of a Ministry for Youth Development carries significant implications for the future of Ogun State and your leadership as the Chairman of the Southern Governors of Nigeria. Neglecting this vital demographic risks the following:
1. Alienating a significant portion of our population, leading to disillusionment and a potential brain drain as our talented youths will unarguably seek opportunities elsewhere. This, of course, becomes a sabotage to the mantra of building our future together.
2. Undermining social stability as our frustrated and disengaged youth are technically becoming vulnerable to negative influences, potentially re-enabling social unrest against your assurances during previous youth agitations.
3. Hindering economic growth as the negligence of our demands for the past few years risks us missing out on the immense potential of our innovation, creativity, and energy to drive economic progress.
4. Creating a disconnect between the government and its largest constituency therefore eroding trust and making it challenging to effectively implement youth-focused policies in the future.
Your Excellency, we firmly believe that the express establishment of a Ministry for Youth Development, headed by a passionate and dedicated Commissioner, is not merely an administrative adjustment but a strategic imperative and demonstration of a responsive leadership across the Southern States of Nigeria. It would send a powerful message to our peers, within and beyond, that your government indeed values us, understands our needs, and committed to sustaining the investment in our future. It would provide a focal point for policy formulation, program implementation, and effective engagement with the youth constituency.
It may be necessary to remind you once again, our dear Governor, that the youth leadership of Ogun State has no single Operational Bus till date to support our daily activities. The vehicles of previous and current State Chairmen of the Youth Council have majorly borne the brunt of work-related incidents in our bids to advocate the interest of the youth constituency. It may also be necessary to state, Your Excellency, that the Ogun Youth Development Centre brought to your notice, during our August 2022 meeting with you, is currently lying unattended with a tendency of being withdrawn from the foundational mandate of a State Youth Resource Center. Needless to begin list, in comparison, the number of youth operational vehicles or Youth Development Centers in neighboring States.
We humbly implore you, Your Excellency, to consider this plea with the utmost urgency. By prioritizing the establishment of our Ministry and other youth related matters, you will not only address a long-standing concern but also unlock the immense potential of our constituency, paving the way for a more prosperous, secure, and vibrant future for all.
We remain hopeful for your positive actions and look forward to an immediate future where the voices and needs of the youth constituency are given the prominence we rightfully deserve.
Yours in youth development,
Olóyè Akolawole Shoremi
The 10th State Chairman
National Youth Council of Nigeria
Com. ‘Dotun Opaleye
State Secretary
National Youth Council of Nigeria
For: The young People of Ogun State
