FEC approves 10% youth, women quota in FG’s appointment

Kunle Sanni

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the institutionalization of a 10 per cent youth quota in all government appointments and an equitable representation of young women.

 The announcement was made by Jamila Ibrahim, the minister of youths, at the end of the FEC meeting on Monday in Abuja.

In addition, she said the council approved the restructuring of the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund and the revamping of the Youth Investment Fund.

The minister added that the quota would encourage young people to take part in decision-making processes and civic engagements.

She said, “This will in turn lead to young people contributing tremendously to the national development agenda.

“I’m also pleased to announce the second council approval to restructure and institutionalise the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund.

“This is a fund that was approved in 2020 and on assumption of Office of this administration, we commissioned a technical committee to review this fund and restructure it with the aim of institutionalising it through a legal framework, which will lead to the establishment of the Nigerian Youth Fund.

“We have secured council approval for the immediate release of N25 billion from the 2023 supplementary Appropriation Act and an additional N25 billion from the 2024 Appropriation Act under the Youth Development Fund for Development provision in the budget.

“We also received an additional approval from the council for a N60 billion release from the Central Bank of Nigeria through the agric investment of small and medium enterprises,” she said.

According to her, these programmes will help upstart companies and provide a great deal of assistance to the nation’s youth.

She stated that key organisations like state governments, the creative economy, and agriculture and food security will work with them to start the programmes.