By The Federal Government has officially renamed the Nigerian Youth Economic Engagement and De-Radicalization Programme (NIYEEDEP) to the Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (YEIDEP).
The change was announced in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) unveiled to the press on Thursday, March 6, 2025, following the signing between the Federal Government and Nigerian Civil Society and Global Development Partners on Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Comrade Kennedy Iyere, President of Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), represented civil society and development partners.
Comrade Olawande explained that the name change was meant to foster a sense of ownership among Nigerian youths, aligning with the programme’s focus on empowerment, entrepreneurship, and economic inclusion.
He revealed that over two million youths have already registered for YEIDEP, making it the largest youth economic empowerment programme in Nigeria’s history.
Comrade Iyere highlighted YEIDEP’s critical role in economic recovery, national security, and social stability, urging both local and global partners to support the initiative.
“The programme’s target is to empower 20 million youth farmers, food producers, and agro-allied entrepreneurs within two years,” Iyere stated.
Interested youths can register on the official YEIDEP website, with financial backing provided by Fidelity Bank, Keystone Bank, Union Bank, Lotus Bank, Access Bank, UBA, First Bank, Zenith Bank, Wema Bank, Sterling Bank, and JAIZ Bank.
