Why FG Should Support Early Childhood, Youth Work Professionalism

The President of the Leadership Institute for Youth and Early-Childhood Management Professionals (L.Y.M.P), Dr. Bolarinwa Omotosho, has called on the Federal Government to prioritise early childhood and youth development as a matter of national urgency.

Dr. Omotosho made the appeal while addressing participants at a one-day Summit for Early Childhood and Youth Development Professionals (SYDP) held in Lagos, themed “Early Childhood and Youth Work Professionalism, Now and Beyond: Trends, Challenges & Opportunities.”

An eminent peace ambassador and veteran youth worker with more than 34 years of experience, Omotosho emphasised that Nigeria’s youthful population represents both a challenge and an opportunity.

> “Nigeria has a significant young population, and investing in its development can yield demographic dividends. Recognising early childhood and youth work will lead to improved education outcomes, global competitiveness, and better health and well-being for our youth,” he said.

He further stressed that youth-focused investment would:

Enhance productivity and drive economic growth.

Reduce poverty by equipping young people with relevant skills.

Promote social cohesion, reducing conflicts and fostering unity.

Strengthen Nigeria’s global competitiveness, attracting investment and talent.

The summit attracted over 70 participants from across Nigeria, including youth workers, teenage and child development practitioners, educationists, lawyers, NGOs, medical professionals, law enforcement agents, military personnel, faith-based leaders, social workers, and government functionaries.

Highlights of the event included:

Pre-membership induction awareness for L.Y.M.P.

Capacity-building leadership training for early childhood managers and youth workers.

Keynote addresses, breakout sessions, and lecture series tailored to empower professionals, foster collaboration, and shape the future of youth and childhood management in Nigeria.

The conference also reviewed 20 specialised fields of early childhood management and youth work, underlining the importance of holistic approaches to supporting children and youth.

While acknowledging challenges, Omotosho and other speakers expressed optimism about opportunities for growth, pointing to rising demand for professionalism, research, and government recognition in the sector.

Participants shared their excitement:

Abiodun Adeleke, Founder of Golden Oasis Spring Foundation, said:

> “All glory to God for a successful and impactful summit. I envision L.Y.M.P. accomplishing remarkable milestones in the next five years.”

Fagbohun Yetunde Islamist remarked:

> “I have been attending conferences and summits, but I have not experienced an impactful breakout session like this before. I am really looking forward to more training.”

The summit reaffirmed that with stronger government support, early childhood management and youth work professionalism can unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s future leaders.