President Bola Tinubu has unveiled the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) to equip young Nigerians with digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and creative industry expertise—key tools to position them as global competitors.
Speaking at the official launch at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, emphasized Nigeria’s unique advantage as one of the world’s youngest populations, with a median age of 17 years. He highlighted the country’s projected growth to become the world’s third-largest population by 2050, stressing the urgent need to prepare its youth for leadership and economic impact.
NiYA will focus on three pillars:
✅ Education & Skills Development
✅ Economic Empowerment
✅ Leadership & Civic Engagement
According to Tinubu, initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will offer financial support, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs. The proposed National Youth Development Bank will also provide capital to help young Nigerians turn their ideas into successful businesses.
Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, described NiYA as a game-changer designed to bridge skill gaps in the job market, empowering youths with job-ready expertise.
In a show of immediate support, Finance Minister Wale Edun presented ₦1 million start-up grants to six young NiYA members from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to help launch their entrepreneurial ventures.
With this initiative, the Tinubu administration aims to unlock the potential of millions of Nigerian youths, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
RN
