President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on Nigerian youths to pursue their aspirations with courage, creativity, and resilience, assuring that his administration will continue to support innovative ideas that contribute to national development.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during the unveiling of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA GIGS) Platform and the official Grant Award Ceremony, the President—represented by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila—said innovation remains the strongest advantage young Nigerians can develop in an increasingly competitive, technology-driven world.
The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and themed “One Youth, Two Skills,” aims to empower 300 beneficiaries, including 200 youths in the formal sector and 100 others in the informal sector.
Tinubu said youth development is central to his administration’s reform agenda, stressing the need for young Nigerians to lead the next phase of nation-building through ideas, skills, and talent.
“Build boldly, innovate courageously, scale fearlessly. You are the generation that will continue the task of building this nation,” he said. “I urge you to deploy your creativity and energy to drive the growth and development of this country.”
The President reaffirmed his commitment to expanding job opportunities, noting that the government has implemented key reforms to ease regulatory burdens on small businesses, streamline taxes, and remove barriers constraining young entrepreneurs.
He highlighted government incentives for the digital and creative sectors, alongside expanded access to consumer credit and enterprise financing.
“All these interventions are shaped by one goal: to build an economy where the ambition of a young Nigerian is never limited by bureaucracy or lack of opportunity,” he stated.
Tinubu also underscored the importance of digital skills and the gig economy, describing the launch of NIYA GIGS as a strategic move to connect youths to paid local and global opportunities.
“With NIYA GIGS, Nigeria is introducing a national platform for freelancing and digital services,” he said. “Our young people have the talent and creativity to become global service providers.”
He added that the NIYA ecosystem—comprising NIYA Academy, NIYA Startup, NIYA Gigs, and NIYA Jobs—was created to link skills to markets, ideas to capital, and young people to sustainable prosperity.
Earlier, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande described the launch as a deliberate effort to recognise and integrate the creativity and ingenuity of young Nigerians into national development.
According to the Minister, over 200 youth-led startups will receive N1 million each, while more than 100 young people in the informal sector will receive N500,000 each to support their businesses.
“The NIYA GIG will open doors for all Nigerian youths to learn, compete globally, and earn meaningful income,” Olawande said.
In his goodwill message, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described the initiative as a significant milestone in nurturing youth-led enterprises and strengthening digital and vocational competencies across the country.
Federal Executive Council members and senior government officials attended the event.
The statement was issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.