Professor Adesegun Fatusi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo State, has urged Nigerian youths to take an active part in the country’s development by getting involved in initiatives that promote transformation.
During the launch of the Nigeria National Youth Index (NNYI) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Fatusi stressed the crucial role young people play in shaping Nigeria’s future. He noted that the nation’s future depends on its youth, encouraging them to be proactive contributors rather than passive recipients of progress.
He emphasised the need to provide young people with the necessary tools and opportunities to succeed in a rapidly evolving world. He pointed out that the insights from the NNYI will help stakeholders identify gaps and ensure that all youths can contribute to the nation’s growth.
The NNYI, created as part of the SPARKLE project at the University of Medical Sciences with backing from the Ford Foundation, seeks to offer a policy-focused, practical method for measuring and tracking youth development across different areas.
Dr. Olorunfemi Ogundele, the Project Coordinator, emphasised that the development of the NNYI was a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders in youth development, including academic institutions and researchers. He noted that the index examines key areas outlined in Nigeria’s National Youth Policy, such as education, employment, health, and gender inclusion. The NNYI provides a basis for evidence-based advocacy and targeted interventions for youth development.
At the event, the logo for the upcoming Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Young People’s Health and Development, set to take place in Port Harcourt in August 2025, was unveiled. Organised by the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN), the conference will focus on the theme: “The Evolving Adolescent and Youth in a Digital Age: Building Resilient Young People in a Changing World,” as announced by Professor Omosivie Maduka, Chair of the Local Organizing Committee. Professor Fatusi emphasised the crucial role of youth engagement in national development, urging young Nigerians to step up and actively contribute to shaping the country’s future.