President Bola Tinubu has announced plans to empower seven million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills in the next two years, a move aimed at creating millions of job opportunities and positioning the country as a key player in the global digital economy.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the 2025 Strategic Youth Leadership Conference, organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the National Defence College.
He said the initiative forms part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and would be anchored on the Nigerian Youth Academy and the National Learning Platform. According to him, the national learning platform is designed to equip seven million youths with digital and vocational skills, opening “millions of opportunities” by 2027.
The President explained that the programme would feature the Three Million Technical Talent Programme, which focuses on advanced training in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Alongside this, the Labour and Employment Programme is expected to generate 2.5 million jobs through enterprise training and job-matching opportunities. He added that the government aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy across the country by 2027, ensuring that Nigerian youths can participate actively in the global knowledge economy.
Tinubu stressed the importance of creating the right environment for mentorship, quality education, and economic empowerment. He urged the youth to embrace service, accountability, and innovation, noting that their energy and creativity are Nigeria’s greatest assets.
“The future of Nigeria is in the hands and minds of our young people. Their energy, creativity, and courage are our greatest national assets. But energy without direction and potential without preparation can lead to frustration. That is why this conference is so timely—it is about building values of service, accountability, innovation, and nation-building in the next generation,” he said.
The President also highlighted other government-backed initiatives targeting youth empowerment. He cited the Student Loan Scheme, designed to reduce school dropouts and channel students towards education and career development. He also mentioned the Nigerian Youth Fellowship, launched in partnership with the U.S., which aims to build young leaders across all 774 local government areas, particularly in health awareness and community development. Additionally, the Youth Agricultural Scheme has already empowered more than 100,000 young entrepreneurs to drive food security and rural development.
Speaking further, Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria stood at a unique point in its national journey and must continue to shape the character of its youth. He added that preparing young people with the skills and values needed for leadership and innovation was central to achieving sustainable development.
In his remarks, Minister Olawande, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mohammed Abdullahi, said Nigeria’s true wealth lay not in oil or gas but in its vibrant youth population, which makes up more than 70 per cent of the nation. He described the conference as a platform to shape the next generation of leaders, adding that the collaboration between the ministry and the National Defence College was a strategic decision to foster values of innovation, leadership, and nation-building among young people.
He urged participants to seize the opportunity to develop the strategies needed to lead the country effectively, stressing that the youth must be prepared to take ownership of Nigeria’s future.
Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Adm. James Okosun, described the conference as a deliberate national investment aligned with President Tinubu’s vision for youth empowerment. He noted that the theme of the event, “Youth and Leadership: Building the Foundation for Sustainable, Strategic Leadership,” was timely and relevant.
Okosun explained that the conference was designed to equip young Nigerians with the capacity for strategic thinking, innovation, and leadership, enabling them to become proactive agents of both national development and security. He said the vision was to see Nigeria led by young men and women who understand the dignity of leadership and the value of service.
The conference, which brought together young leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders, was described as a critical step toward building the foundation for sustainable leadership in Nigeria and Africa.
