Vision : To lead and inspire youth through creation of entrepreneurial and employment opportunities that contribute towards national development and sustainability.

Background : Nigeria is Africa’s most populou s country with over 140 million persons. According to 1995 World Bank world development indicators, the total unemployment rate was 16.0%. Youth unemployment is high and graduate unemployment is very common.

About the Network : The Network is hosted by Kudirat Initiative for Democracy and is comprised of a mix of social entrepreneurs in different areas all interested in youth employment. The network has members spread all over the country with skills in mobilization, event facilitation, information gathering, computer skills and knowledge of policy advocacy. It currently has 30 micro enterprise trainers and has been actively involved in National employment Policy processes.

Current Major Initiatives:

• Developed an “Employment Policy Review Toolkit” to help Nigerian youth review current government legislation on employment issues supported by many partners including the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, GTZ, and the World Bank.
• Reviewing the new Ministry of Youth, National Youth Employment Action Plan and creation of a Shadow Implementation Plan.
• YES Nigeria is a leading partner in the Nigeria International Youth e-Forum (NIYF) 2009.
• Identifying and supporting green initiatives from across Nigeria including the Niger Delta region.
• Developing life skills training and have already trained 250 girls who are ready to do training as part of the KIND KUDRA Program, leadership training for young women in 5 universities.
• Developing curricula on life skills, advocacy, emotional intelligence, goal setting.
• Leadership and Career guidance training for young people with an interest in entertainment.

Key Accomplishments :

• Partnerships with Cross River State Government, Federal Government Committee, Nigeria International Youth e-Forum (NIYF), KIND Nigeria (funded by CORDAID), LEAP AFRICA/MICROSOFT, Heritage Alliance (Project lead), Youth care, KIND
• YES Nigeria is a leading partner in the Nigeria International Youth e-Forum (NIYF) 2009
• YES Nigeria is on the National Guidelines Creation Committee for National Employment Policy Implementation Framework. YES Nigeria is on the National Committee for Decent Work