President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a groundbreaking initiative designed to equip young Nigerians with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy. The launch event took place on Monday at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing the President.
In his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling youth unemployment and poverty through strategic skill development. He emphasized that NiYA would provide world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries. With Nigeria’s median age at just 17 years and a rapidly growing youth population, the initiative is positioned as a proactive response to the country’s evolving demographic landscape. By 2050, Nigeria is projected to become the world’s third-largest country, with a significant proportion of its citizens under the age of 21. NiYA aims to train and empower millions of young Nigerians over the next two years to harness this demographic advantage.
The academy’s focus spans three key areas: education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership and civic engagement. Through initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters, NiYA will provide financial support, mentorship, and essential resources to budding entrepreneurs. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a National Youth Development Bank to facilitate access to capital for young innovators and business owners.
Highlighting the importance of human capital development, President Tinubu acknowledged the country’s challenges in youth unemployment and learning poverty. He stressed that NiYA represents a firm commitment to reversing these trends by nurturing a new generation of leaders through training in governance, policy-making, and community development.
Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, described NiYA as a transformative platform designed to bridge skill gaps and enhance employability among young Nigerians. He noted that President Tinubu’s broader vision for youth development includes initiatives such as the student loan scheme, which aims to remove financial barriers to education.
Complementing the launch, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, recognized six outstanding NiYA members from the country’s six geopolitical zones, each awarded N1 million in start-up funding to launch their entrepreneurial ventures. He emphasized that in the modern digital economy, skills—not just academic credentials—are the true currency of success.
The launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to invest in young people, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national development and compete effectively on the global stage.
