By: Jairus Awo
In Nigeria, where youths face myriad of challenges, ranging from
lack of matching skills to limited job opportunities, leaving major
gaps for skyrocketed unemployment rates, to multidimensional
poverty, Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has
stood out for its consistency and impact.
For a decade, we have been at the forefront of addressing the gaps
in youth development, leveraging the International Youth Day (IYD)
and other projects to drive positive change by having conversations
about burning issues in Nigeria.
The theme of IYD 2016, “The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and
Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production,” resonated with
Nigeria’s struggles with poverty and economic growth. BBYDI’s
response was swift, launching initiatives that equipped young people
with skills and knowledge to drive entrepreneurship and innovation.
This focus on economic empowerment addressed a critical gap in
Nigeria’s youth development efforts, where unemployment and
poverty rates remain staggeringly high.
In 2017, the theme shifted to “Youth Building Peace,” highlighting the
critical role young people play in conflict resolution. BBYDI’s projects
focused on promoting peacebuilding, tolerance, and inclusive
dialogue, addressing the gaps in Nigeria’s fragile peace
architecture. By engaging young people in peacebuilding efforts,
BBYDI helped to mitigate the risks of violence and extremism,
promoting a culture of peace and understanding.
Subsequent years saw BBYDI tackling themes like “Safe Spaces for
Youth,” “Transforming Education,” and “Climate Action,” each time
tailoring their interventions to address specific gaps in Nigeria’s
youth development landscape.
The emphasis on safe spaces responded to the need for inclusive
and accessible areas where young people can engage, learn, and
grow. The focus on transforming education addressed the gaps in
Nigeria’s education system, where outdated curricula and
inadequate infrastructure hinder young people’s ability to acquire
relevant skills.
Through our work, BBYDI has demonstrated an unwavering
commitment to empowering young Nigerians. By providing safe
spaces for youth engagement, promoting education and skills
development, and fostering climate action, we have helped bridge
the gaps in Nigeria’s youth development efforts.
Our initiatives have equipped young people with the knowledge,
skills, and networks necessary to drive positive change in their
communities.
The 2024 International Youth Day is here again with the theme
“From Clicks to Progress” will dialogue on youth digital pathways to
sustainable development, and BBYDI will be up again, gathering
Nigerian in a webinar for this event.
