Dream big, embrace innovation, Tinubu urges youths

President Bola Tinubu. | Credit: State House

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President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to pursue their dreams with courage and resilience, assuring that the Federal Government will support innovative endeavours.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Academy Platform and Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja, organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Tinubu emphasised that creativity and innovation will give youths a competitive advantage in a fast-changing world driven by digital and emerging technologies.

The programme, themed “One Youth, Two Skills,” aims to support 300 young Nigerians, providing grants to 200 from the formal sector and 100 from the informal sector.

According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, said youths are central to his administration’s developmental agenda.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to skills acquisition, talent nurturing, and nation-building.

“Build boldly, innovate courageously, scale fearlessly. You are the generation that will continue the task of building this nation. I am particularly happy to hear about the potential partnership with the UAE.

“I therefore urge you to continue to deploy your youthful ideas, creativity, and energy to drive the growth and development of this country,” Tinubu said.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment and job creation:

“From the early days of this administration, I have made a firm decision; the Nigerian youth will not stand on the margins of our national development. This commitment is not political; it is personal.

“Throughout our nation’s journey, every major leap—from innovation to civic renewal—has been driven by the boundless energy, intelligence, and boldness of young Nigerians.

“Alongside these reforms, we have expanded support programmes across technology, agriculture, manufacturing, the creative industry, and green energy skills to ensure that young innovators have multiple pathways to succeed.

“Everything we do is part of a broader ecosystem of empowerment that this administration has intentionally designed,” the President said.

Tinubu also highlighted regulatory reforms to remove bottlenecks for small businesses, streamline tax compliance, and expand access to consumer credit and enterprise financing for young entrepreneurs.

He stressed that Nigeria cannot afford to leave its youth behind, noting that the NIYA GIGS platform will connect young Nigerians to paid work locally and globally.

“Through NIYA Academy, NIYA Startup, NIYA GIGS, and NIYA Jobs, we are linking skills to markets, ideas to capital, and young people to real prosperity. Note that the grant you are getting today is not a prize; it is a vote of confidence from your nation,” he emphasised.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described the launch as a deliberate effort to recognise, celebrate, and integrate the creativity and resourcefulness of Nigerian youths into national development.

“We are here, for the first time in the history of this country, to build the informal sector and ensure that we provide a tool and a living way for them.

“Over 200 youth-led startups will receive One Million Naira each to start up their businesses. For the first time, we are extending this support to over 100 young people in the informal sector, who will receive N500,000 each to support their businesses,” Olawande said.

He added that the NIYA GIG platform positions Nigerian youths to compete on a global scale and generate sustainable income.

In a goodwill message, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the launch underscores Nigeria’s commitment to placing youths at the centre of the development agenda.

Members of the Federal Executive Council and senior government officials attended the launch.

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