The Federal Government has launched Yo! Health, a new youth-focused health awareness initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with the knowledge and tools to lead healthier lives.
The initiative was unveiled by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, during an event at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja. It seeks to address key health challenges facing Nigerian youth by providing credible information, promoting preventive care, and fostering mental, sexual, and physical well-being.
Speaking at the launch, Olawande stressed the importance of health in enabling young people to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“This initiative is anchored on six strategic pillars: Mental Health; Alcohol, Drug and Substance Abuse; Communicable Diseases; Health Insurance—particularly for youth in the informal sector; Non-Communicable Diseases; and Sexual & Reproductive Health,” he said.
Olawande noted that these focus areas were selected based on data and insights gathered from young people across the country.
Yo! Health is guided by four core objectives: raising awareness, youth empowerment, advocacy and policy influence, and youth-led co-design and implementation.
The program is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Ministries of Health and Women Affairs, alongside civil society organizations, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and youth-led groups.
Olawande praised the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and commended all partners for their dedication to youth health.
Also speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Olubunmi Olusanya, described Yo! Health as a comprehensive framework to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of young Nigerians.
He emphasized that youth health is central to national progress and prosperity.