The 360 Youth Development Strategy: My Ambassadorial Story

Kemi Ajumobi

October 6, 2026

It’s been 66 years of being an independent country, 66 years of numerous reforms and policies, but now more than ever, Nigeria needs a holistic youth development system.

There’s something special about investing in the future that yields invaluable results. There’s something special about parents sowing seeds into their children, and being blessed to stay long enough to see those seeds grow into big Iroko trees. There’s something special about investing in young people. 

But beyond the sentiments, for a country like Nigeria, it is non-negotiable. It begins with a simple question like, “who will be the senior talent when we’re no more?” There’s the mistake of assuming one will always be available but times and seasons happen for a reason. I’m moved to write about this because I saw a post on how companies are now replacing junior talents with AI. That’s not wrong, costs must be cut, and profit maximized, but what happens when those companies need senior talents in future? Where is their talent pipeline strategy? 

I’ve been blessed to be a part of a couple of life-changing youth training programs, and the IBILE Youth Academy stands out for me. At the crossroads of finishing at the university, I was green, hungry and high on energy. Applying to the academy was one of those many things I tried my hands at, so when I got in, I was excited. 

A little bit of context; the IBILE Youth Academy is a leadership training for youth between 18-24, essentially to incubate them for greatness. It features a five day training, 7-day camp and a full year fellowship, which also features an international exchange at the end of the year. It was that intense, and it’s all expense paid by the Lagos State Government.

Very quickly, my excitement turned into something more steady. This was a productive avenue to channel my energy into. And it wasn’t just my energy alone, the energy of 500 other young people was being used productively. Since then, that number has consistently risen to over 1000 youths trained by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development. 

One thing that truly fascinates me about people is how much power and energy passion pushes them to exert on a venture. From the principal officers of the ministry – the commissioner, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu – to the officers in charge of the programme – Rashidat Umar and her team, everyone treats the programme like it’s their pass to paradise. 

It’s the same spirit I’ve seen young people around me exude on passion projects, the very one I put into building the She’s More Fellowship Programme. After leading a team of 50 young people, executing over 40 projects which reached more than 20,000 youths, I knew I had to keep paying it forward. 

But Nigeria needs more than pockets of youth development programs; it deserves to be a national priority, right at the center of Nigeria’s growth culture. And it looks like creating youth systems like the National Youth Parliament, which is commendable by the way. It also looks like inter-ministerial collaboration to create functional youth centers nationwide; places where young people can walk in to get clarity on life’s challenges. It looks like diversifying the education structures; we’re no longer in the era where doctors and lawyers are the only valuable professions, other professions deserve due rewards. 

I’m sad because I see too many young people in the streets, particularly male. Young, energetic young men whose energies are being channeled into unproductive ventures because the nation keeps treating youth development as an afterthought. With over 70 percent youth population, now is the time to center young people. Happy Independence!

About Author

Zainab Aderounmu A. W.

Zainab ADEROUNMU A. W. is a First Class graduate of English Language and the Overall Best Graduating Student from the Lagos State University, Lagos Nigeria. She’s a professional Master of Ceremonies, known as The Hijabi Compere , a public speaking coach and Communications Professional. She is currently a Youth advisor to the European Union where she doubles as the Spokesperson and Head of Communications & PR for the Youth Sounding Board.