FG, Cascador Partner to Boost Youth Entrepreneurship, Business Development
Oru LeonardÂ
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to promoting youth entrepreneurship and sustainable business development through strategic partnerships aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the skills, resources and opportunities to establish successful enterprises.
The Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, stated this at the NiYA-Cascador Founders Programme, organised under the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA).
Olawande said the initiative was designed to provide aspiring and emerging young entrepreneurs with practical business knowledge, mentorship and institutional support to transform innovative ideas into viable and sustainable businesses.
He observed that many Nigerian youths possess innovative ideas and have established businesses capable of addressing societal challenges but often lack the necessary guidance, resources and opportunities to scale their ventures.
The Minister explained that the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Cascador was established in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen entrepreneurial capacity and expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
He noted that participants in the programme benefited from practical business support, entrepreneurial training and engagements with relevant government agencies, providing them with valuable insights into business establishment, management and expansion.
According to him, the progress recorded by the beneficiaries demonstrates the importance of equipping young entrepreneurs with the right knowledge and exposure to grow their businesses, create employment and contribute to national economic development.
Olawande expressed optimism that the programme would enable participants to expand their business operations, generate jobs and create sustainable economic value.
He also commended Cascador, Sapphital, the programme’s judges, trainers and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the success of the initiative.
The Minister, however, called for greater private-sector involvement in youth entrepreneurship, urging businesses, investors and corporate organisations to support emerging entrepreneurs by investing in their ideas and patronising their products and services.
He maintained that Nigerian youths possess the creativity, resilience and entrepreneurial capacity to drive economic transformation if provided with the appropriate support system.
Olawande reaffirmed the Federal Government’s determination to establish an enabling environment where young Nigerians can harness their talents, build sustainable businesses and become active contributors to national economic growth.
The NiYA-Cascador partnership forms part of broader efforts by the Ministry to strengthen youth enterprise development, promote innovation and create pathways for economic empowerment among young Nigerians.
Cover Photo Caption: First from right, Hon. Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr.(Mrs). Maryam Keshinro and the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya @ NIYA X Cascador Founders Programme Grants Recipients in Abuja.
