The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) marked International Youth Day (IYD) 2025 with a landmark convening in Asaba, Delta State, that combined global celebration with tangible action for youth empowerment. Themed “Advancing Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Through Technology, Partnerships, and Job Creation,” the event doubled as the Youth Employment Pathways (YEP) Business Challenge Fund Awards Ceremony, where PIND awarded ₦45 million in grants to 65 youth-led businesses across four states in the region.
The gathering brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Delta State Office of Job Creation, development partners, YEP implementing partners, private sector actors, civil society organizations, and YEP alumni and beneficiaries.
Empowering Youth, Advancing Peace
Delivering the keynote address, PIND’s Executive Director, Mr. Sam Ogbemi Daibo, emphasized the critical role youth play in achieving sustainable peace and economic transformation in the Niger Delta. He reiterated PIND’s Phase IV (2025–2029) strategy, which commits to transitioning 45,000 youth into enterprise or decent employment.
“This year’s International Youth Day is a demonstration of what young people in the Niger Delta are capable of when given opportunity and support,” Daibo said. “Through YEP, we are nurturing an ecosystem where youth-led businesses generate not just jobs, but also peace and resilience in their communities.”
Grants Driving Inclusive Growth
Through the YEP Business Challenge Fund, implemented in partnership with the Nigeria Philanthropy Office (NPO), 65 youth entrepreneurs have been empowered — 33 males, 32 females, and three persons with disabilities.
The fund acts as a catalyst for launching and scaling youth-led enterprises, fueling job creation, sparking innovation, and strengthening social stability across the Niger Delta. Beneficiaries cut across diverse sectors, from agriculture and technology to creative industries and services, reflecting the region’s ingenuity and vast potential:
- 22 service-oriented ventures (fashion, solar, photography)
- 20 agriculture enterprises
- 18 construction businesses
- 5 ICT start-ups
Dialogue on Employment, Technology, and Partnerships
Two interactive panel discussions further enriched the event:
- Scaling Youth Employment and Job Linkages in the Niger Delta, which spotlighted models for sustainable job creation and enterprise support;
- Harnessing Technology and Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable, Youth-led Peace and Development, moderated by NDLink and featuring contributions from Global Shapers, YALI, JCI, and PIND Peace Champions.
Both panels concluded with a joint stakeholder resolution to develop a Youth Collaboration Workplan, a framework to scale youth-led innovation, deepen public-private partnerships, and embed youth leadership in peace and development initiatives.
Voices of Impact
The ceremony also showcased YEP’s transformative influence through the “Voices of Impact” storytelling segment. Alumni and beneficiaries shared how YEP training and support enabled them to move from unemployment to becoming employers of labor and agents of peace.
“Before YEP, I had skills but no direction. The program didn’t just give me capital—it gave me clarity, mentorship, and belief in myself,” said Faith Eborka, a grant recipient and digital entrepreneur. “Today, I am running my own business and training other young people in my community.”
A Catalyst for the Future
As the Niger Delta marked International Youth Day, PIND reaffirmed a powerful truth: young people are not just beneficiaries — they are partners, innovators, and leaders shaping peace and prosperity.
By investing in skills, enterprises, and collaboration, PIND continues to unlock opportunities, fuel inclusive growth, and empower youth to build a sustainable future for the region.
