SPEAK OUT AFRICA INITIATIVE PUBLIC STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2023

Today, Speak Out Africa Initiative resound the voices of the youths especially Africans
who form the largest population (over 60%) in Africa. Their energy, passion and desire for
progress reassure our communities that our best days lie ahead. We commemorate the
International Youth Day 2023. This year’s theme Green Skills for Youths: Towards a
Sustainable World embodies the need to promote and empower green skills which are
both transversal, technical and digital knowledge and skills to develop and support a
sustainable, resourceful and efficient society. The youths are our best investment toward a
better future through their vitality, energy, innovative ideas, and skills.
In this regard, youth development is one of our thematic areas towards achieving our goal
particularly in light of strengthening democracy, enhancing good governance, and
promoting grassroot development.
In the face of the ongoing global economic crisis, adopting the U.N. SDGs mantra of “leave
no one behind” has never been more vital. We are ensuring that “no youth is left behind”
by fostering partnerships among development actors, experts, and young people
themselves. These partnerships will generate resources, expertise, and knowledge to
harness the potentials and capabilities of youths in Africa.
The today youths face anomalous challenges; unemployment, underemployment,
poor/limited access to education and health facilities, forced displacements, hardship, etc.
these are hurdles that should worry discerning minds. In Nigeria, youth unemployment has
surged to above 53% (NBS 2023) making it second largest unemployed youths in the
world. Increase cost of living equating hardship as a result to persistent increase in
food/item prices (Inflation rose to 22.79%) pushing many youths into crime and drug
abuse. If left unaddressed, youth unemployment/hardship would result in increased
dependency on government welfare programs, thereby straining public finances, and
increasing the level of insecurity/crime in the country. Tackling youth challenges in Africa
may necessitate the injection of resources into crucial areas like education, digitalization,
infrastructure development, and climate change.
SOAI is committed to promoting youth development and empowering them through multidimensional approach which comprises of quality training/reforms, promoting selfdevelopment through digital skills and advocating for drug abuse prevention through
relevant programs and initiatives. Among these is our “skool and Skill 4 Naija” program

already lunched which gears towards integrating digital skills education and drug abuse
prevention into Nigeria secondary education curriculum.
Moreover, we are working with partners like CISS, EU, OSF Africa, among others, to
strengthen youth and women participation, inclusion and development for a sustainable
Africa. Together, we can enhance a better future where the youths can standout, lead,
innovate, and contribute to Africa’s advancement.

#IYD2023
#InternationalYouthDay
#GreenSkillsForYouths
#SpeakOutAfricaInitiative