The Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising youth development through strategic investments in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and evidence-based planning aimed at unlocking the full potential of the state's youthful population and driving sustainable development.

The Commissioner for Planning and Economic Development, Dr Mary Arinde, stated this during a press briefing in Ilorin to commemorate the 2026 World Population Day.

Speaking on this year's theme, "Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People - Today and for the Future," Dr Arinde described young people as the state's greatest asset.

She noted that with more than 60 per cent of Kwara's estimated four million population comprising youths and adolescents, deliberate investment in human capital development remains essential for sustainable growth.

The Commissioner disclosed that the ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has commenced the development of the Kwara State Demographic Dividend Roadmap and also developed the Kwara State Youth Policy.

According to her, both initiatives will provide strategic direction for policies and programmes designed to harness the state's demographic potential and improve opportunities for young people.

Dr Arinde highlighted several youth-centred initiatives of the AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq administration, including the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP), Kwapreneur, the Public Workfare Programme, the Federal Government's 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative, and programmes promoting youth and women's participation in governance.

She also commended UNFPA, the National Population Commission (NPC), development partners, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions for their continued support in advancing sustainable population management and human capital development.

The Commissioner called for stronger collaboration to improve demographic data systems, describing reliable population data as critical for effective planning, informed decision-making and quality service delivery.

In his remarks, the Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC), Isiaka Alada Yahaya, said investing in young people remains the most effective pathway to economic growth, innovation and sustainable development.

He explained that activities marking the 2026 World Population Day would include youth-focused advocacy, media engagements, public awareness campaigns and stakeholder collaborations aimed at amplifying the voices of young people and deepening public understanding of population issues.

The event also featured presentations on findings from the United Nations Population Fund's Global Demographic Futures Survey, which revealed that although many young people aspire to marry and have children, economic uncertainty, limited opportunities and prevailing social challenges continue to hinder the realisation of those aspirations.