President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerian youths to pursue global relevance with courage and innovation, assuring that the Federal Government will continue to support their creative and entrepreneurial aspirations.
Speaking in Abuja at the unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA GIGS) Platform and Grant Award Ceremony, the President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila said creativity and digital skills remain the strongest assets for young people in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The programme, themed “One Youth, Two Skills,” will empower 300 beneficiaries, including 200 young Nigerians from the formal sector and 100 from the informal sector, with startup grants.
President Tinubu affirmed that youth development is central to his administration’s agenda, stressing that young Nigerians must continue the task of nation-building through innovation, skills development, and resilience.
He encouraged them to “build boldly, innovate courageously, and scale fearlessly,” noting Nigeria’s potential partnership with the UAE to enhance opportunities.
Reiterating his commitment to job creation, the President said his administration has expanded programmes across technology, agriculture, manufacturing, the creative sector, and green energy to provide multiple pathways for young innovators.
He added that recent regulatory reforms were designed to ease operations for small businesses and reduce tax burdens on young entrepreneurs.
According to him, incentives in the digital and creative economy, coupled with expanded access to credit and enterprise financing, are part of a broader ecosystem aimed at unlocking youth potential.
“Our goal is to build an economy where the ambition of a young Nigerian is never limited by bureaucracy or lack of opportunity,” he said.
President Tinubu explained that the NIYA GIGS platform will position Nigerian youths as global service providers in the expanding digital and gig economy, connecting them to paid work locally and internationally.
He emphasised that the grants given to beneficiaries represent a national vote of confidence, not a reward.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the launch marks a historic commitment to developing both formal and informal youth sectors.
He disclosed that over 200 startups will receive ₦1 million each, while more than 100 young entrepreneurs in the informal sector will get ₦500,000 each to strengthen their businesses.
Olawande described NIYA as a growing ecosystem designed to help Nigerian youths compete globally, earn sustainable incomes, and develop market-ready skills.
In a goodwill message, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said the initiative reflects the nation’s determination to place young Nigerians at the heart of national development.
He described NIYA GIGS as a practical and forward-looking effort to nurture youth-led businesses and deepen digital and vocational competencies.
The launch was attended by members of the Federal Executive Council and senior government officials.
Bello Wakili
