President Bola Tinubu says his administration will empower seven million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills within two years, targeting the creation of millions of job opportunities.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference 2025, organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the National Defence College.
He said the administration was determined to position young Nigerians in the global talent pool through digital literacy and ensure their effective participation in the global digital economy.
Outlining key strategies under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu highlighted the Nigerian Youth Academy and National Learning Platform as major pillars.
“This national learning platform is targeted at seven million young Nigerians with digital and vocational skills, and aims to open doors of opportunity for the youth by 2027,” he said.
According to him, the three million technical talent programme will advance skills in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering, while a labour and employment initiative targets 2.5 million jobs through enterprise training and employment matches.
“The administration aims to achieve 70 per cent national digital literacy by 2027 to ensure effective youth participation in the global digital economy,” he added.
Tinubu also emphasised mentorship, education, economic empowerment and inclusive governance as critical to unlocking the creativity and energy of Nigerian youths.
“The future of Nigeria is in the hand and mind of our young people today. The energy, the creativity and the courage of our youths are the greatest national asset we have. However, energy without directions and potential without preparation can lead to frustration,” he said.
He noted that initiatives such as the students’ loan scheme, youth agricultural scheme, and the Nigerian Youth Fellowship were designed to build capacity, reduce barriers to education, and empower young people as leaders and entrepreneurs.
Minister Olawande, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the conference was crucial, stressing that the nation’s true wealth lay in its vibrant youth, not natural resources.
Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Adm. James Okosun, described the conference as a deliberate national investment aligned with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the theme, “Youth and Leadership: Building the Foundation for Sustainable, Strategic Leadership”, was timely, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the tools to become proactive agents of national development and security.
(NAN)