With Tinubu’s Reforms, Nigerians Abroad Will Soon Return Home – Youth Minister Olawande

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has expressed confidence that ongoing reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration will soon inspire Nigerians living abroad, especially young professionals, to return home.

Speaking in Akure, the Ondo State capital, after receiving an award from the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, as part of the monarch’s 10th coronation anniversary, Olawande said the administration is laying a solid foundation for national stability and economic growth.

“Everything the president is doing now is for the future,” Olawande said. “I promise you, in the near future, everybody will prefer to come and stay in Nigeria than remain abroad because the country is being stabilized.”

The Minister noted that Tinubu’s government is prioritising youth empowerment through reforms focused on technical training, entrepreneurship, and the creative sector. He added that these efforts aim to build a country where young Nigerians can thrive and take pride in their nation.

“For too long, Nigerian youths have felt disconnected from leadership, but President Tinubu’s administration is making deliberate efforts to reverse that trend,” he said. “The President has done everything to create an environment for youths to thrive.”

Olawande said many of the current economic and social challenges stem from years of leadership neglect, but the current administration is taking corrective steps.

“The challenges we face today are the results of decades of neglect. Before President Tinubu came into office, young people couldn’t feel the impact of governance. But now, things are changing, structures are being put in place,” he stated.

According to the Minister, the Youth Development Ministry is working in collaboration with various agencies and parastatals to deliver skill acquisition and development programmes across sectors like sports, agriculture, and entertainment.

He encouraged young Nigerians to seize these opportunities, stressing that the government is actively investing in the future.

Addressing the issue of emigration, Olawande remarked:
“We don’t have to stop those who want to travel abroad. Let them go, gain knowledge, and bring it back to contribute to Nigeria’s development. But more importantly, young Nigerians should know that they can also thrive here. The government is creating the right atmosphere for that.”

The Minister also spoke about his recent diplomatic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he said he engaged in strategic collaborations on youth development.

“I happened to be the first black Nigerian man that will visit that place and they will give access to, just because of what the president is doing,” Olawande said, noting that the visit signals increasing international recognition of Nigeria’s youth-focused reforms.

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