President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), affirming his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills necessary to compete globally.
He emphasised that NiYA is a “bold response” to unemployment, poverty, and other barriers hindering the nation’s progress.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the launch on Monday in Abuja, President Tinubu outlined plans to provide world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and creative industries.
“We will ensure that our youth are equipped to compete on the global stage,” he stated.
Highlighting Nigeria’s young population, with a median age of 17, he noted the urgency of preparing them for the future.
“The success of a nation becomes realistic when its children go to bed guaranteed of their place in the changing world,” he said.
NiYA will focus on three key areas: education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership and civic engagement.
Initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will provide financial support and mentorship.
The planned National Youth Development Bank aims to ensure access to capital for young entrepreneurs.
“This is not just an investment in their future; it is an investment in the future of our nation,” President Tinubu declared, assuring that NiYA will train and empower millions of young Nigerians within two years.
Minister for Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, explained that NiYA aims to bridge the skill gap in the job market and empower youths with marketable skills.
“This initiative is for every Nigerian youth,” he said, urging them to seize the opportunity.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, congratulated the six beneficiaries who received N1 million start-up packages, calling NiYA “a bold and ambitious step” towards empowering young Nigerians.
“Skills, not just certificates, are the real currency of today’s global digital economy,” he emphasised.
The launch underscores the government’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment and fostering economic growth by investing in the nation’s young population.
Leave a Reply