Nigeria’s large youth population should be viewed as a strategic economic advantage rather than a demographic liability, according to Medamask, who stressed that equipping young people with practical skills and business opportunities is key to tackling poverty, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges facing the nation.
While acknowledging the importance of government intervention, Medamask emphasized that the private sector, development partners, successful entrepreneurs, and community leaders also have critical roles to play in mentoring young people, supporting vocational training, and creating opportunities for youth-owned businesses to thrive.
Sectors with High Potential
He identified agriculture, livestock production, manufacturing, information and communication technology (ICT), the creative industry, renewable energy, and digital services as sectors offering enormous wealth creation opportunities—provided young people are properly equipped with the required knowledge and entrepreneurial skills.
Medamask urged youths to cultivate innovation, discipline, integrity, and financial management, describing these as essential qualities for building sustainable businesses capable of creating jobs and contributing to national development.
Crime Reduction Through Empowerment
He further stressed that increased investment in entrepreneurship and youth empowerment would not only improve livelihoods but also reduce the growing incidence of crime, drug abuse, and other social vices by providing young people with legitimate sources of income and hope for the future.
Call for Collaboration
Medamask called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, financial institutions, development organisations, and the private sector to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, affordable financing, and business development services for young Nigerians.
He expressed confidence that with sustained investment in youth development and entrepreneurship, Nigeria could harness the energy and creativity of its young population to build a more productive economy, create employment opportunities, and achieve inclusive and sustainable national growth.
