In a major stride toward institutionalizing Youth Development as a professional field in Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development (FMYD) and the Nigeria Youth Workers’ Association (NYWA) have announced the success of a high-level courtesy and advocacy visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Patricia Lar.
During the engagement, Professor Lar reaffirmed the university’s commitment to hosting a national stakeholders workshop as a launchpad for formalizing Youth Work education. She further pledged that the University of Abuja is prepared to commence the process of offering Post Graduate Diploma (PGD), Master’s, and Doctorate degree programmes in Youth Development Work—positioning the institution as a pioneer in this critical sector.
Speaking on behalf of the advocacy team, Despan Kwardem, the team lead, extended commendation to the Honourable Minister of Youth for granting his approval—not only for the proposed workshop but also for the broader initiative to professionalize Youth Development Work practice in Nigeria. He noted that this decisive action aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes strengthening governance, enhancing transparency, and delivering better services to Nigerian youth.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Youth Workers Association (NYWA), Ben Duntoye said the milestone marks a transformative step in equipping Youth Workers with globally relevant competencies and academic recognition, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to inclusive development and sustainable youth empowerment. Driven by the need to develop the capacities of youth workers, which was championed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), the program hopes to standardize and improve the quality youth work practice in Nigeria.
He further expressed special appreciation to Professor Theresa Abok-Akpan, Director of the Centre for Gender Security Studies and Youth Advancement, whose invaluable support contributed significantly to the success of the visit.