*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu describes the newly-inaugurated Nigerian Youth Academy as a bold response to address unemployment, poverty, other barriers to national progress and development, noting it his administration’s commitment to changing the country’s narrative

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The Federal Government has restated its committement to equipping Nigerian youths with requisite skills to enable them to compete effectively as key players on the global stage.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated this Monday, March 24, 2025, when he officially launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) in the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, FCT.

Tinubu affirmed his administration’s resolve to equip Nigerian youths with the required skills to become key players in the international system.

Represented at the event by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu listed areas the government intends to train the young population to include world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries.

He also emphasised that the success of a nation becomes realistic “when its children go to bed guaranteed of their place in the changing world.”

According to him, as a peculiar country with a median age of 17 years, Nigeria is one of the youngest populations in the world.

The Nigerian leader equally observed that such peculiarity is an invitation to rise to the challenge of Nigeria鈥檚 projection to be the third-largest in the world by 2050, with an overwhelming majority of her citizens under the age of 21.

He further disclosed that NiYA would focus on three critical areas, namely education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership and civic engagement.

Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President) Monday stated Vice-President Shettima said: “Through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries, we will ensure that our youth are equipped to compete on the global stage.

“Initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will provide financial support, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs, while the establishment of a National Youth Development Bank will ensure access to the capital needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses.”

President Tinubu explained that the NiYA is a bold response to Nigeria’s low human capital index ranking, unemployment and other barriers to the nation’s progress, assuring that within the next two years, the academy “will train and empower millions of young Nigerians.”

The President stated: “It will equip them with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities needed to compete with the rest of the world.

“This is not just an investment in their future; it is an investment in the future of our nation.”

He noted that the security of the nation’s human capital could not be guaranteed unless a robust, skills-driven learning environment is created.

the President said his administration had also made significant strides in the nation’s human capital development agenda.

Tinubu said: “Yet, we must acknowledge the challenges that persist. Nigeria鈥檚 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.”

He also stated: “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.”

Minister: NiYA initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with marketable skills

Earlier in his address on the occasion, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, Honourable Minister for Youth Development, explained that the NiYA initiative is designed to equip young Nigerians with marketable skills.

Olawande said: “The President promised to the Nigerian youths to provide a platform where they can achieve their dreams; the dream of many Nigerian youths is to have a good job and live a good life.”

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

He noted: “This initiative is for every Nigerian youth. NiYA represents the determination of Mr. President to help all youths build a better future and create opportunities for themselves and their families.”

The Minister further urged young Nigerians to take the opportunity, saying it is an opportunity for every Nigerian youth to get on board, learn a skill and get engaged to take control of the future.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Wale Edun, Honourable Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, congratulated beneficiaries of the N1 million presented to six members of NiYA, representing the six geo-political zones of the country on a start-up package to help them implement their programmes as self-employed and skilled youth.

Edun also described NiYA as a bold and ambitious step towards achieving President Tinubu鈥檚 commitment to empowering young Nigerians.

He explained that NiYA speaks directly to the aspirations of over sixty million Nigerian youths from the ages of 18 and 35 within the nation’s borders and across the diaspora who are hungry for knowledge, skills and opportunity.

The Minister stated: 鈥淲e know that skills, not just certificates, are the real currency of today鈥檚 global digital economy and that is why NiYA is so important, it is more than a learning platform.

“It is a launch pad for a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, creators, professionals, and founders who can reach out all over the world comfortably seated using the internet,鈥� he stated.

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