In a move underscoring the federal government’s commitment to youth inclusion, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Ayodele Olawande, held a high-profile meeting with Mr. Adebusuyi Adeleye, a prominent youth advocate, days after their interaction at the Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference.

The closed-door meeting, held at the Minister’s office in Abuja earlier today, followed Adeleye’s compelling presentation during the March 22 virtual conference, where he proposed a community-based youth empowerment initiative aimed at fostering skill development and governance participation at the grassroots level.

Adeleye, who leads the Osun East Senatorial District Grassroots Youths Forum and formerly served as Vice-President of the Ijesaland Youth Forum (representing 137 communities), confirmed the meeting was “productive and action-oriented.”

“The Honourable Minister didn’t just listen; he asked for a detailed plan and committed to exploring immediate implementation pathways,” Adeleye told reporters after the engagement.

Sources within the Ministry revealed that the discussion centered on scaling youth-focused programs, particularly in rural areas, with an emphasis on public-private partnerships.

Dr. Olawande, known for his hands-on approach, has repeatedly emphasized the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” mantra by prioritizing direct engagement with young innovators.

“This is governance beyond rhetoric,” said a ministry spokesperson. “When a young person presents a viable idea, we match their energy with action.”

The Renewed Hope Global Virtual Town Hall Conference, initiated last year, has become a key platform for youth-policy dialogue, with this latest development seen as a test case for bridging grassroots ideas with federal support.

While details of Adeleye’s proposal remain under wraps, insiders hint at potential pilot schemes in Osun State, with possible replication nationwide if successful. The Ministry is expected to release an official statement on the collaboration later this week.

Youth groups have hailed the engagement as a “template for inclusive governance.” Comrade Aisha Bello, National Coordinator of the Youth Progressive Alliance, stated: “If more leaders acted like Dr. Olawande, Nigeria’s youth bulge would be an asset, not a challenge.”

As of press time, the Ministry confirmed plans to host quarterly follow-ups with conference participants to track progress on submitted ideas.