By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Kwara State Government has urged young people to look beyond white-collar employment and embrace skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as alternatives for securing their economic future.
The state Commissioner for Youth Development, Ndanusa Shehu, gave the advice in Ilorin on Saturday, 22 August, 2026 while speaking on opportunities available to young people across different sectors.
He said the limited availability of conventional jobs made it necessary for youths to acquire marketable skills and explore opportunities that could enable them to become self-reliant and, ultimately, create jobs for others. “Rather than focusing only on white-collar jobs, our young people should take advantage of opportunities to acquire skills, develop their talents and embrace entrepreneurship,” Ndanusa said.
The Commissioner said the government would continue to engage youths and work with relevant stakeholders to expand opportunities for their development.
He added that the ministry was collaborating with development partners, parents and other stakeholders to encourage young people to channel their energy towards productive activities.
Ndanusa also urged community-based and faith-based organisations to play active roles in mentoring youths and helping them develop the values and character needed to pursue meaningful ventures.
On agriculture, the Commissioner said young people did not necessarily need to own farmland before participating in the sector, noting that several opportunities existed across the agricultural value chain.
“Youths can explore opportunities in processing, packaging, marketing, logistics and other services within the agricultural value chain. They can build sustainable businesses around agriculture without necessarily going into the traditional practice of owning and cultivating farmland”, he said.
He said the state government was also undertaking projects aimed at providing platforms for youth engagement, including the rehabilitation of the Ilorin Stadium and the construction of new stadiums in Lafiagi and Offa.
According to him, the facilities are expected to support sports development and provide additional opportunities for young people to engage in productive activities.
Ndanusa also highlighted the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme, which allows young graduates to work with start-ups and other organisations for one year while earning an income and gaining practical work experience.
He said the exposure provided under the programme could improve the employability of participants and better prepare them for long-term career opportunities.
The Commissioner added that the Ministry of Youth Development had partnered institutions such as the National Stored Products Research Institute, the Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bank of Agriculture on youth development and agribusiness initiatives.
He urged young people to take advantage of available opportunities, acquire relevant skills and explore enterprises that could make them economically independent.
