Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the foundation-laying ceremony for an international youth empowerment and intercultural dialogue centre at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The ceremony took place on Saturday, 17 October 2026, as part of activities marking the university’s 65th anniversary. The proposed facility is named the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Centre for Youth Empowerment and Inter-Cultural Dialogue.
Speaking about the initiative, Hamzat emphasised the importance of investing in young people through education, skills development and opportunities that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to national development.
He noted that Nigerian youths possess the talent, creativity and determination needed to shape the country’s future but require an enabling environment to develop their abilities and turn their ideas into practical achievements.
According to him, empowering young people requires deliberate investment in education, vocational and professional skills, as well as platforms that encourage their active participation in nation-building.
The centre is expected to provide opportunities for young Nigerians to acquire relevant skills, develop innovative ideas, establish businesses and collaborate with individuals and organisations across Africa and beyond.
It is also intended to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, cultural exchange and mutual understanding among young people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds.
The initiative aims to address challenges facing young people, including unemployment, limited access to skills training, economic inequality and social exclusion.
Hamzat reaffirmed his commitment to supporting programmes that promote inclusion and expand opportunities for young people, particularly in Lagos State.
He stressed that creating an environment where young people can learn, innovate and realise their potential remains essential to building a more prosperous and inclusive society.
The establishment of the centre represents an investment in youth development, with the expectation that it will help nurture future entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and responsible leaders who can contribute to Nigeria’s growth and development.
