The Joint Committee of the National Assembly on Youth Development has commenced the 2026 budget defence session for the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, marking a key stage in the legislative consideration of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The 2026 budget proposal was presented to the National Assembly in December 2025 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, after which relevant committees began detailed scrutiny of sectoral allocations in line with their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
Opening the session, the Chairman of the House Committee on Youth Development Hon Martins Esin Etim said the exercise was not merely a review of figures but an opportunity to critically assess the Ministry’s strategic priorities, programme effectiveness and operational capacity. He stressed that youth development remains central to Nigeria’s socio-economic growth and national stability.
According to him, while some provisions in the 2026 Appropriation Bill are rollovers from the previous fiscal year, the Committee is committed to ensuring that allocations reflect the pressing needs of Nigerian youth and strengthen the Ministry’s ability to deliver measurable outcomes.
The Chairman disclosed that the Committee had earlier conducted defence sessions with departments and agencies under the Ministry’s supervision. He explained that the current engagement was aimed at consolidating submissions and ensuring coherence, accountability and effective implementation.
In his presentation, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development Engr. Ayodele Olawande expressed appreciation for the support of the legislature, describing the collaboration between the executive and legislative arms as critical to advancing youth-focused programmes nationwide.
Reviewing the 2025 budget performance, the Minister outlined expenditures across personnel, overhead and capital components, noting that capital allocations were directed at infrastructure development and programme expansion. He said the Ministry recorded progress in skills development, entrepreneurship support and digital inclusion initiatives under the administration of President Tinubu.
Among key achievements highlighted were the expansion of the Nigerian Youth Academy under the One Youth, Two Skills initiative, the launch of the Nigerian Youth Gig Programme to prepare young people for global digital employment, and the Nigerian Youth Startup Initiative, through which over 300 beneficiaries received startup grants of at least ₦1 million each in partnership with private sector stakeholders.
The Minister further disclosed that the Ministry currently operates five operational departments, seven common service departments, two specialised units at headquarters, six zonal offices and 72 National Youth Development Centres across the country. Several of the centres, he added, are undergoing renovation and rehabilitation through public-private partnerships to enhance service delivery.
As part of policy recommendations for the 2026 fiscal year, the Ministry proposed that 15 percent of national and state budget allocations be set aside specifically for youth development programmes, in line with resolutions of the 7th National Council on Youth Development.
The Joint Committee commended the Ministry’s efforts and assured continued legislative support, pledging to diligently carry out its oversight function to ensure effective utilization of funds in the interest of Nigerian youth.