Tinubu Launches Youth Academy: Empowering the Next Generation and Closing the Skills Gap

oleh admin | Mar 24, 2025 | education, government, politics, young people, youth

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing Nigerian youth with the necessary skills to ensure they can actively participate and excel on the international level.

Tinubu made this statement during the official launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He emphasized that being an exceptional country with a median age of 17 years, Nigeria boasts one of the most youthful demographics globally.

Stanley Nkwocha, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President for Media and Communications, made this announcement in a statement released on Monday. The title of the statement reads: ‘Empowering Nigerian Youth to Become Key Competitors on the Global Stage.’

At the launch, Tinubu, who was represented by Shettima, outlined sectors where the government plans to equip the youth with top-tier training, such as digital literacy, technical abilities, business acumen, and involvement in the creative sector.

He emphasized that a country’s achievement turns feasible when “its kids can sleep assured of their spot in an evolving world.”

Tinubu noted that this distinctiveness serves as an encouragement to meet the challenge of positioning Nigeria as the third-most populous country globally by 2050, with more than half of its population expected to consist of individuals younger than 21 years old.

As stated by the Nigerian leader, NiYA will concentrate on three key sectors: enhancing education and developing skills, promoting economic empowerment, and fostering leadership and civic participation.

By providing top-notch education in digital literacy, technical abilities, entrepreneurialism, and the creative sector, we aim to empower our young people to excel globally.

Programs such as the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will offer financial assistance, guidance, and resources to budding business owners,” he stated. “Additionally, founding a National Youth Development Bank will guarantee access to the necessary funds to transform concepts into successful enterprises.

Tinubu stated that the NiYA represents a daring approach to addressing Nigeria’s poor standing in terms of human capital development, high unemployment rates, and other obstacles hindering national advancement. He affirmed that over the coming two years, the academy will equip and empower millions of young Nigerians.

“It will provide them with the abilities, information, and chances required to measure up against global competitors. This isn’t merely a commitment to their tomorrow; it’s a pledge to the country’s upcoming era,” he further stated.

Acknowledging that the safety of the country’s workforce depends on establishing a strong, skill-focused educational setting, the President stated that his government has achieved notable progress toward advancing the nation’s human capital growth plan.

He continued: “Yet, we must acknowledge the challenges that persist. Nigeria’s Human Capital Index ranking remains below its potential, with youth unemployment and learning poverty presenting critical barriers to progress.

“These statistics are not just numbers; they reflect lives disrupted, dreams deferred, and futures left uncertain. The Nigerian Youth Academy is our commitment to changing this narrative.”

“The Nigerian Youth Academy will nurture the next generation of leaders, training them in governance, policy-making, and community development. We believe that the success of this initiative rests not in Abuja alone but in the communities where real change is felt.”

Earlier, Minister for Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, explained that the initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with marketable skills.

“The President assured Nigerian youth that they would be provided with an opportunity to realize their aspirations; countless young Nigerians aspire to secure gainful employment and lead prosperous lives,” he stated.

The Minister noted that NiYA aims to “upscale and bridge the skill gap in the job market and will close the gap so that many youths can be empowered with the skills needed for the job.

“This initiative is aimed at every young person in Nigeria. NiYA embodies Mr. President’s commitment to assist all youths in shaping a brighter future and generating opportunities not only for themselves but also for their families,” Olawande stated.

The Minister encouraged young Nigerians to grasp this chance, emphasizing that it presents all Nigerian youths with the opportunity to acquire skills, become actively involved, and steer their own futures.

Additionally, Mr. Wale Edun, who serves both as the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, extended his congratulations to the recipients of the N1 million grant awarded to six representatives from NiYA. These individuals represent each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions and will use this startup fund to support themselves as they launch their initiatives aimed at developing skills among young people and promoting entrepreneurship.

Mr. Edun stated that NiYA represents a daring and ambitious move toward fulfilling President Tinubu’s pledge to support the empowerment of Nigeria’s youth.

He stated that NiYA resonates with the ambitions of more than sixty million young Nigerians aged between 18 and 35, both within Nigeria and abroad, who crave knowledge, skills, and opportunities.

We understand that in today’s global digital economy, skills hold greater value than mere certifications. This is precisely why NiYA stands out; it goes beyond being merely an educational platform.

“It serves as a launching platform for a fresh cohort of Nigerian entrepreneurs, creators, professionals, and founders who can effortlessly connect with the global community from their seats via the internet,” he noted.

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