Abuja – President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday affirmed that empowering young Nigerians is a personal priority rather than a political gesture, vowing to dismantle obstacles that limit their potential. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, at the Grant Award Ceremony and the flag‑off of the Nigeria Youth Academy (NiYA) Gigs held at the State House, the President highlighted a series of reforms aimed at easing tax compliance for small businesses and expanding access to credit for young entrepreneurs. He also outlined support for digital and creative‑economy ventures, stressing that the programmes are designed to create a pipeline of young global service providers through NiYA Academy, NiYA Startup, NiYA Jobs and the newly launched NiYA Gigs platform.
“The grants should be seen as a vote of confidence from the nation,” the President said, emphasizing that the initiative reflects his personal commitment to the youth. He added that removing barriers to their potential is central to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced that the administration is building a comprehensive youth‑empowerment ecosystem. Under the scheme, 200 youth‑led startups will each receive N1 million, while 100 beneficiaries in the informal sector will receive N500 000 each. “We are constructing a full ecosystem – from skills acquisition to enterprise creation and income generation,” Olawande said.
The event also showcased the launch of NiYA Gigs, a digital‑work platform intended to connect young Nigerians with paid opportunities both locally and internationally. Officials reiterated that the combined initiatives aim to position Nigeria’s youthful population as a demographic advantage, capable of contributing to a $1 trillion economy and securing the nation’s future.
