By FRANCA OFILI

The Federal Government has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurial and Innovation Alliance (YEIA) Boot Camp.

The move is part of its ongoing efforts to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and bilateral cooperation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, made the announcement on Thursday in Abuja.

He noted that the initiative was being organized in partnership with the Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum.

According to Olawande, the Boot Camp will provide a dynamic platform to nurture creativity, build entrepreneurial capacity, and foster collaboration between young innovators from Nigeria and Bangladesh.

He emphasised that the initiative aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda by strengthening bilateral ties, attracting investment in technology and innovation, and enhancing youth capacity through targeted training and industrial exposure.

“The primary goals of the Boot Camp are to facilitate high-level engagements between public and private sector stakeholders, mobilise investment, and equip our youth with relevant skills and global exposure,” Olawande said.

He charged the committee members, drawn from various ministries and strategic sectors, to ensure Nigeria’s participation was impactful and nationally representative.

He also urged them to carry out their responsibilities with diligence, creativity, and collaboration, in line with the committee’s Terms of Reference.

In his welcome remarks, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, represented by Mr. Mike Ugwuogu, Acting Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion, highlighted the scope of the upcoming Boot Camp.

He said the event would bring together young innovators, startup founders, and changemakers from around the world, creating a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

He highlighted the significance of the 2025 edition, to be hosted in Bangladesh, as a unique opportunity for Nigerian youth to showcase their talents, connect with global counterparts, and access networks that support innovation-led development.

Also speaking at the event, Mr. Bob Achanya, President of the Nigeria-Bangladesh Business and Technology Forum, described the initiative as a strategic platform for linking youth, policymakers, and the private sector.

He reaffirmed the vision to empower more than 10 million young people through access to mentorship, training, and entrepreneurial opportunities aimed at driving sustainable economic growth. (NAN)