Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has formally received its new Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, who addressed Directors, staff, and inter-ministerial partners during the handover ceremony in Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Omolara Esan, Director, Information and Public Relations.
In her remarks, Dr. Keshinro expressed gratitude for the warm reception and described her return to the youth sector as a continuation of her long-standing commitment to mentorship, service, and national development. She commended the achievements of her predecessor and pledged to consolidate and expand the Ministry’s progress.
Highlighting the Ministry’s pivotal role, she noted that with youths making up nearly 70% of Nigeria’s population, the Ministry remains central to the nation’s future. She reaffirmed alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing that youth empowerment is a national priority.
Dr. Keshinro pledged to lead with integrity and accountability, focusing on:
• Strengthening due process, transparency, and the rule of law
• Promoting merit, hard work, and continuous improvement
• Leveraging staff expertise to deliver high-impact programs
• Ensuring service delivery that reflects the needs of young Nigerians
She announced that internal briefings will begin shortly, with Departments expected to present updates on ongoing programs, achievements, challenges, budget performance, nominal roll status, 2026 leave rosters, and strategic priorities for the coming year.
Reaffirming her open-door leadership style, Dr. Keshinro encouraged staff to share innovative ideas, report challenges, and contribute actively to policy development. She urged officers to uphold professionalism, teamwork, and effective communication.
“Together, we will build a legacy of pride, progress, and lasting empowerment for the Nigerian youth,” she stated.
In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, highlighted areas essential for sustaining the Ministry’s momentum, including seamless program handover, support for promotions and capacity building, strengthened monitoring and evaluation, and enhanced private-sector collaborations. He expressed confidence that the Ministry would continue advancing youth development nationwide.
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