The Federal Ministry of Youth Development today unveiled the Circular Economy Youth Empowerment Initiative for Climate Action (CEYEI) at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. The initiative marks a bold step in transforming Nigeria’s waste challenges into opportunities for wealth creation, youth empowerment, and climate action.
CEYEI is designed to train and equip young Nigerians with the skills to convert waste into eco-friendly products, sustainable businesses, and valuable resources. By doing so, it not only tackles environmental degradation but also provides pathways to employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The launch event was attended by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, key government officials, private sector leaders, and development partners. Together, they underscored the importance of youth-led climate action in achieving Nigeria’s green economy vision.
Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi, the Special Assistant to the President on Youth Initiatives (Monitoring and Delivery), graced the occasion as a special guest. Her presence reaffirmed the Presidency’s commitment to leveraging initiatives like CEYEI to empower youth and drive sustainable development.
Key Points
🌍 Climate Action: Reducing waste and promoting eco-friendly practices.
💡 Innovation: Encouraging youth to turn challenges into creative solutions.
💼 Employment & Enterprise: Providing skills and funding to build sustainable businesses.
♻️ Sustainability: Aligning with global circular economy principles.
Why CEYEI Matters
Nigeria’s growing youth population holds enormous potential to lead in climate innovation. The reality of waste management challenges across our cities has created opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business solutions. CEYEI bridges this gap by:
- Training youth on green enterprise and circular economy practices.
- Equipping young entrepreneurs with skills to convert waste into eco-friendly products.
- Providing access to funding and mentorship for youth-led startups in recycling, upcycling, renewable energy, and sustainable design.
- Driving job creation through eco-innovation, thereby reducing unemployment while tackling climate change.
Youth at the Center of Climate Action
CEYEI is more than an event — it is a movement that empowers youth to see waste not as a problem but as an opportunity. By transforming plastic, e-waste, food, and agricultural by-products into new value chains, Nigerian youth can play a leading role in climate resilience while boosting local economies.
The Bigger Picture
This initiative aligns with national and global climate action goals, contributing to:
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goals 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), 11 (Sustainable Cities), 12 (Responsible Consumption & Production), and 13 (Climate Action).
- Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan, building a sustainable pathway to net-zero.
- The African Union’s Agenda 2063, where youth drive innovation for the continent’s growth.
What’s Next?
Youth participants at CEYEI will benefit from continuous mentorship and engagement through the Youth Activities Dashboard (YAD), Nigeria’s first integrated database tracking youth-focused programs, opportunities, and initiatives nationwide. This ensures that the momentum from CEYEI translates into measurable progress, data-driven outcomes, and lasting impact.
📌 For more information and updates on CEYEI and other youth-focused programs, visit the Youth Activities Dashboard (YAD) at 👉 https://yid.fmyd.gov.ng
