President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the growing concerns of Nigerian youths regarding unemployment, the rising cost of living, access to education, and insecurity. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Youth Conference in Abuja, Mr Tinubu said his administration has a responsibility to address their expectations. He emphasized that young Nigerians deserve more than explanations about the economic difficulties facing the country.
Nigeria's economic difficulties have been compounded by the shocks from the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira, with geopolitical conflicts and wars further disrupting global energy and commodity markets. This has worsened the cost-of-living pressures on households. Persistent insecurity across several parts of the country has also crippled local economies, disrupted farming and commercial activities, displaced communities, and forced the closure of schools.
Mr Tinubu said young Nigerians deserved more than explanations about the economic difficulties facing the country, adding that his government was working to expand opportunities through investments in education, skills development, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, YouthCred, and the Nigerian Youth Academy among the initiatives his administration was implementing.
The president acknowledged that the government's economic reforms had come with sacrifices but said young people deserved to see the promised opportunities translate into tangible improvements in their lives. He emphasized that his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to build an economy that creates opportunities, rewards enterprise, and gives Nigerians a fair chance to succeed.
Mr Tinubu said he understood the challenges confronting young people, including concerns about employment, the cost of living, access to education, opportunities to start businesses, and the security of their communities. He also acknowledged young people's desire for a country where hard work is rewarded, talent is recognized, and opportunities are not determined by personal connections or one's background.
The president promised to support young Nigerians to succeed regardless of their backgrounds or locations. He said the government would do more to ensure that skills training leads to employment, innovation attracts investment, and young entrepreneurs have continued access to financing. His address was delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The 2026 National Youth Conference provided a platform for the president to engage with young Nigerians and address their concerns. Mr Tinubu's speech highlighted the government's commitment to creating opportunities for young people and addressing the challenges they face. The president's initiatives aim to promote economic growth, education, and skills development, ultimately improving the lives of Nigerian youths.
Key points
- President Tinubu outlines initiatives to expand opportunities for young Nigerians
- The government's economic reforms have come with sacrifices, but young people deserve to see tangible improvements in their lives
- The president promises to support young Nigerians to succeed regardless of their backgrounds or locations
