By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete on the global stage, describing the newly launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) as a bold response to unemployment, poverty, and other barriers to national progress.
Speaking at the official launch of NiYA at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday, the President, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasised that Nigeria’s young population presents both an opportunity and a challenge, requiring urgent action to prepare them for the future.
With a median age of 17 and projections indicating that Nigeria will become the third-largest nation by 2050, predominantly made up of people under 21, Tinubu stressed that empowering the youth is crucial for national stability and economic growth.
The Nigerian Youth Academy will focus on three key areas: education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership and civic engagement.
Through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries, the academy aims to ensure that young Nigerians are equipped to compete effectively in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Tinubu also highlighted initiatives such as the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters, which will provide financial support, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs.
Additionally, the planned National Youth Development Bank will grant young innovators access to capital, enabling them to transform their ideas into thriving businesses.
“The Nigerian Youth Academy is not just an investment in the future of our young people; it is an investment in the future of our nation. Within the next two years, this initiative will train and empower millions of young Nigerians, equipping them with the skills and opportunities needed to compete with the rest of the world,” the President declared.
Acknowledging the existing challenges, Tinubu admitted that Nigeria’s Human Capital Index ranking remains below its potential, with youth unemployment and learning poverty acting as significant roadblocks.
However, he assured that his administration is committed to changing this reality by creating a robust, skills-driven learning environment.
“These statistics are not just numbers; they reflect lives disrupted, dreams deferred, and futures left uncertain. The Nigerian Youth Academy is our commitment to rewriting this narrative,” he stated.
Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described NiYA as a strategic initiative designed to equip Nigerian youths with marketable and in-demand skills.
“The President promised to provide a platform where Nigerian youths can achieve their dreams. NiYA will bridge the skill gap in the job market, empowering young people with the tools they need to secure employment and build successful careers,” he said, urging Nigerian youths to seize the opportunity and actively participate in the programme.
In support of the initiative, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasised that NiYA aligns with President Tinubu’s broader vision of empowering young Nigerians.
He noted that the academy directly addresses the aspirations of over 60 million Nigerian youths aged 18 to 35, both within the country and in the diaspora, by providing them with practical skills rather than just certificates.
“Skills, not just certificates, are the real currency of today’s global digital economy. That is why NiYA is so important, it is more than a learning platform; it is a launch pad for a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, creators, professionals, and founders who can compete globally,” Edun stated.
As part of the launch, six members of NiYA, representing the six geo-political zones, received N1 million each as a start-up package to help implement their business ideas.
This, according to the government, is a first step in what will be a nationwide drive to equip young Nigerians with the resources needed to turn their skills into sustainable ventures.
