ABUJA – The Federal Government has initiated moves to formally recognise youth work as a professional field in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen youth development, create structured career pathways, and enhance national productivity.
This was disclosed during a high-level consultative meeting held on Wednesday, June 26, 2025, between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, stakeholders in the education and labour sectors, and representatives of international youth organisations.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, emphasized the need to standardise youth engagement activities, especially as millions of young Nigerians increasingly take up roles in advocacy, mentorship, social development, and community service.
“Youth work is no longer voluntary or informal in nature, it is now a vital tool for social transformation, peacebuilding, and national development,” the Minister stated. “We must take deliberate steps to professionalise this sector by establishing training standards, certification, and career recognition frameworks.”
According to the ministry, the proposed policy will involve collaboration with relevant agencies such as the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National Universities Commission (NUC), and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) to develop accredited curricula and regulatory guidelines for the certification of youth workers.
International development partners, including the Commonwealth Secretariat, have also pledged technical support for the initiative, citing the successful adoption of similar youth work frameworks in countries like South Africa, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
Stakeholders at the meeting highlighted the importance of professionalising youth work to address issues of unemployment, underemployment, and unstructured volunteerism, which often leave many passionate youth workers without recognition or clear career growth.
The ministry said it would soon unveil a National Framework for Youth Work Professionalisation, including training, licensing, and the establishment of a professional body for practitioners.
If implemented, the initiative is expected to not only validate the contributions of youth workers but also expand employment opportunities within the growing social development sector.
The proposal is currently undergoing stakeholder review and will be presented to the Federal Executive Council for approval later this year.
