Nigerian Federal Government Launches Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for YEIA Boot Camp

• The Federal Government has begun an Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the YEIA Boot Camp
• The committee is determined to conduct the Youth Entrepreneurial and Innovation Alliance (YEIA) Boot Camp

As part of a strategic move to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the Federal Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the Youth Entrepreneurial and Innovation Alliance (YEIA) Boot Camp. Initiated in partnership with the Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum, the initiative is designed to expose young Nigerian innovators and founders of startups to global exposure, mentorship, and enterprise training.

The swearing-in ceremony took place in Abuja at the Ministry of Youth Development. At the inauguration ceremony, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, explained the boot camp as a platform that assists in the promotion of creativity, entrepreneurship, and bi-lateral understanding with Bangladesh.

Ayodele clarified, "This project encapsulates the Renewed Hope Agenda in the scopes of deepening relationship to the global tech industry, attracting investment, and mentoring our youth to market-facile skills."

He went further to stress that the boot camp shall unite Nigerian and Bangladeshi youths under one platform for cross-cultural interaction, exposure to industries, and interaction at high levels with the major stakeholders. The Minister tasked the committee, whose members are drawn from different ministries and sectors, with making the program effective and inclusive.

Mike Ugwuogu, who stands in for the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, pointed out that the boot camp provides Nigerian young people with the opportunity to profile their innovations, acquire international exposure, and associate with networks supportive of startup development.

Bob Achanya, President of the Nigeria-Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum, regarded the initiative as a vital platform to integrate youth, policymakers, and the private sector. He suggested the objective is to empower more than 10 million youth by offering access to mentorship, training, and business opportunities. The Ministry reiterated its focus on building conducive environments for youth innovation, with an emphasis on making Nigerian youth world leaders in enterprise and technology.