This is contained in a statement signed by Daisi Omokungbe, the founder and executive director, PROMAD Foundation, released in Abuja, recently.

Recall, the Federal Government has penultimate week announced the establishment of the ISF for 36 states for intervention and investments in critical areas at the subnational levels.

According to Dele Alake, special adviser to the president on special duties, communications and strategies, the ISF would enable the subnational governments to “intervene and invest in critical areas” so as to improve “economic competitiveness, create jobs and deliver economic prosperity”.

He listed the areas to include transportation, farm-to-market road improvements; agriculture, encompassing livestock and ranching solutions; health, with a focus on basic healthcare; education, especially basic education; power and water resources”.

PROMAD said the decision of the Federal Government and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) to save some percentage of the revenue generated in June following the removal of fuel subsidy for the newly created infrastructure support fund is a welcome development.

“It is a welcome development that the Federal Government and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has agreed to put in some savings from June revenue following the removal of fuel subsidy for appropriation for the 36 states through the infrastructure support fund”, the organisation said.

“We welcome this development because the critical areas mentioned by the government are important to lifting more Nigerians out of poverty”.

The organisation noted the fact that over 133 million citizens are living in poverty; there are 20 million out-of-school children; 75 per cent of Nigerian children lack numeracy and literacy skills; 80 per cent of our primary healthcare centres (PHCs) lack personnel, equipment, power and drugs; and 70 per cent of the population lacks access to clean and safe water for home-use & sanitation amongst other development challenges that require citizens’ engagement and needs assessment to thoroughly capture these issues for appropriation.

Omokungbe said PROMAD is calling on FG and the state governments to design and publish citizen engagement, monitoring and evaluation frameworks for the ISF.

He noted that Tinubu told Nigerians during his inauguration address of the readiness of his administration to from the on-set engage and consult Nigerians.

Omokungbe added that engagement, consultation and peoples’ participation are part of the pillars of democracy that the Tinubu administration and state governments must embrace for budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

“As an organisation deploying technology for community needs assessment for gender-responsive and participatory budgeting (GRPB), we are hopeful that FG would initiate budgeting reform as promised during Tinubu’s inauguration in May.

“We would do our best to contribute substantially in deploying civic and gov tech solutions to ensure Nigeria’s annual budget benefits the majority of citizens in the areas of agriculture, education, health, infrastructure and water resources.

“Only a budget that is gotten from a participatory process can guarantee the nomination and execution of citizen-oriented projects for the provision of social services, job creation and stable and progressive economy”, Omokungbe said.

Whether you’re just starting out in your journey or you’re a seasoned professional looking to take your skills to the next level, it’s important to understand what matters most to you and how you can achieve those goals.

PROMAD Foundation understands the value of youth inclusion and empowerment in accelerating youth civic participation and overall development in Nigeria. 

That’s why the company carried out a survey which helped put together this list of the most common needs and priorities encountered among young people in these areas.

Speaking during a press conference to launch the research policy memo on Accelerating Youth Civic Participation and Development held in Abuja on April 4th, Mr Daisi Omokungbe, the Founder and Executive Director of PROMAD Foundation, said they believe in using data and technology to investigate and analyse development problems and proffer policy related solutions to help stakeholders and government gain clarity on what must be done.

PROMAD’s report read: “On needs and their priorities in terms of a number of career, political, and other personal development goals: 

• “Get a job” = 67 counts
• “Acquire or develop my skills” = 49 counts
• “Get scholarship opportunities” = 39 counts
• “Contribute to my community through civic participation” = 37 counts
• “Run for an office” = 5 counts”

1. Get a Job

Unsurprisingly, the need to secure a job is at the top of the list for many young people in Nigeria. 

According to the research, “Get a job” was mentioned a whopping 67 times when young people were asked about their priorities. 

This is understandable as unemployment rates in Nigeria remain high, and securing a stable job is often seen as the first step towards financial stability and independence.

2. Acquire or Develop My Skills

In a rapidly changing job market, it’s no surprise that young people are placing a great deal of importance on acquiring and developing new skills. The research found that “Acquire or develop my skills” was mentioned 49 times as a top priority. This is a wise move as possessing the right skills can give you a competitive advantage when it comes to securing a job or even starting your own business.

3. Get Scholarship Opportunities

Education is a key factor in personal and professional development, which is why many young people are focused on securing scholarship opportunities. 

The research found that “Get scholarship opportunities” was mentioned 39 times as a top priority. Scholarships can help young people access higher education and acquire the skills they need to achieve their goals.

4. Contribute to My Community through Civic Participation

Many young people have a desire to make a positive impact on their communities, and civic participation is a great way to do that. 

The research by PROMAD found that “contribute to my community through civic participation” was mentioned 37 times as a top priority. Whether it’s through volunteering, community service, or advocacy, civic participation can help young people make a difference and build valuable connections.

5. Run for an Office

Finally, the research found that only five young people mentioned running for office as a top priority. While this may seem surprising, it’s important to note that political participation among young people in Nigeria is still relatively low. However, we believe that youth inclusion and empowerment can help change that and encourage more young people to get involved in politics and work towards positive change.