President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) to tackle the country’s growing unemployment rate in a bid to tackle unemployment and improve Nigeria’s human capital index and other barriers The initiative aims to equip young Nigerians with digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship training, and expertise in the creative industries.
Speaking at the launch, President Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima stated that the initiative reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with essential skills, empowering them to compete as key players on the global stage. He further stated that over the next two years, the academy would train and empower millions of young Nigerians.
According to the Vice-President, he declared that “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.”
He stressed, “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.” Shettima emphasized that the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) is committed to changing this narrative.
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, congratulated the beneficiaries of the ₦1 million grant awarded to six members of NiYA, each representing one of the country’s six geo-political zones.
He noted that the start-up package is designed to support them in implementing their programs, empowering them as self-employed and skilled youth ready to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
