Between September 16th and 17th, 2025, the Ogun Youth Agenda Team of the Future Builders Initiative (FBI) embarked on a series of strategic engagements with three critical ministries in Ogun State, furthering the campaign to institutionalize youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) development through the Ogun Youth Policy and the proposed Ogun Youth Development Commission Bill.
The advocacy visits, led by Mr. Opeyemi Oladimeji, Team Lead and Executive Director of FBI, are part of the broader project, “OgunYouthAgenda: Advancing Youth Development through Policy Action.” The initiative seeks to push for sustainable legal and policy frameworks that guarantee inclusive opportunities for young people, women, and vulnerable groups in Ogun State.
The team first visited the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, where discussions focused on embedding inclusivity into the Youth Policy and forthcoming Development Bill. Hon. Adeleye affirmed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate, stating: “We recognize the need for policies that reflect the aspirations of all groups, particularly our young people and vulnerable populations. This engagement ensures that our programmes are inclusive and impactful.”
In response, Mr. Oladimeji stressed the team’s vision: “Our aim is to ensure that youth, women, and PWDs are not just passive beneficiaries but active participants in state policies and programmes. The Commissioner’s openness is a promising step towards this goal.”
At the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan, emphasized the ministry’s alignment with youth aspirations: “We are committed to integrating youth-focused and gender-sensitive initiatives into our budget and planning frameworks. The insights from the Ogun Youth Agenda Team will help us make informed decisions that benefit all.”
Mr. Oladimeji described the meeting as a breakthrough: “It was encouraging to see the Ministry embrace data-driven approaches to youth inclusion, showing how planning and budgeting can create tangible opportunities.”
The team also engaged the Ministry of Sports Development, which oversees youth affairs in the state. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Comrade Olanrewaju Ogunyinka, and the Director of Youth Development, Mr. Adetokunbo Salami, the ministry expressed readiness to advance youth empowerment through policy.
Mr. Comrade Ogunyinka highlighted: “Our goal is to ensure that young people are equipped with the tools to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society. Collaborations like this provide a roadmap for impactful youth programmes.”
These engagements, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), reflect growing synergy between civil society and government in Ogun State. According to Mr. Oladimeji: “This is a critical step in making sure that young people, women, and PWDs are placed at the centre of decision-making and development in Ogun State. The warm reception and commitments we received give us confidence that the OgunYouthAgenda will leave a lasting legacy.”
The visits mark another milestone in the collective effort to build an inclusive, youth-driven development agenda that touches every sector of society; education, health, employment, governance, and beyond.
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