The paper focuses on the roles of science education in youth empowerment in Nigeria. Nigeria in recent times has been plagued with cases of youth restiveness and vices that has defied several approaches by successive governments to curb. This paper discussed the philosophy of education in Nigeria to highlight the roles of education in the inculcation of right values, knowledge and skills in young people to enable them contribute effectively to national development. Particularly, the paper discussed the 21st century skills needed for effective youth empowerment, role of science education in skills acquisition and youth empowerment, and strategies for enhancing youth empowerment through science education. The paper concluded with some recommendations for the effective employment of science education for youth empowerment in Nigeria.