By FRANCA OFILI

The Minister of Youth Development has said that no fewer than 58,820 young Nigerians registered in just 53 days for the Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) Programme across the country.

This is contained in a statement by Mrs Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, on Tuesday in Abuja.

It quoted Minister Ayodele Olawande as saying that registration for the programme, developed in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and Globe Takers Foundation, had officially closed.

“In just 53 days, a total of 58,820 young Nigerians signed up from all six geopolitical zones.

“This shows how eager Nigerian youth are to learn data protection and digital skills,” he said.

He described the overwhelming response as a strong indicator of young Nigerians’ commitment to nation-building and readiness to engage with digital literacy and personal development.

Olawande assured that every registrant would benefit from the ministry’s broader youth development programmes, even if not part of the initial training cohort.

He stated that the training would begin with 5,000 selected participants, chosen to ensure fair representation across all regions of Nigeria.

He added that the remaining registrants would still be reached through other relevant initiatives, ensuring no willing youth was left out of the digital literacy movement.

“The YDPAT training will adopt a hybrid model, combining both online and physical sessions to make it accessible to youth regardless of their location.

“Registration closed officially in the first week of September 2025, with participant selection currently underway and expected to conclude before the end of the month.

“The announcement and accreditation of selected participants will take place in October, followed by the start of virtual training in November.

“Physical training sessions are scheduled for December 2025, further strengthening practical skills among participants in various parts of the country.”

Olawande called on development partners, the private sector, and state governments to collaborate and support the YDPAT initiative during this critical phase.

He emphasised that collective efforts would significantly expand the reach and impact of the programme, empowering more youth with digital and data protection skills.

The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to building a digitally aware generation that could protect their rights and contribute to Nigeria’s digital economy. (NAN)