President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with essential skills to compete effectively on the global stage.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima during the launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu highlighted the academy’s role in preparing young Nigerians for the future.

Aims of the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)

The academy is designed to address youth unemployment, improve skills development, and bridge knowledge gaps in the job market. It will focus on three core areas:

1. Education and Skills Development
2. Economic Empowerment
3. Leadership and Civic Engagement

Tinubu emphasized that the academy will offer world-class training in:

• Digital literacy
• Technical skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Creative industries

He stressed that human capital development is central to national progress, acknowledging the need to tackle youth unemployment and learning poverty.

Bold Response to Youth Unemployment

The Nigerian Youth Academy is a direct response to Nigeria’s low Human Capital Index ranking. Tinubu promised that within two years, the academy will train and empower millions of young Nigerians with the skills and knowledge required to compete globally.

“This is not just an investment in their future; it is an investment in the future of our nation,” Tinubu stated.

Initiatives Under NiYA

1. Youth Investment Fund: Financial support, mentorship, and resources for young entrepreneurs.
2. Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters: Access to capital and business resources.
3. National Youth Development Bank: Funding for youth-led businesses and startups.

Ministers Emphasize Youth Empowerment

The Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, emphasized that NiYA is a platform to empower youth with marketable skills and close the gap between education and the job market.

“The President is committed to providing a platform where Nigerian youth can achieve their dreams, secure employment, and improve their quality of life,” Olawande said.

Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, also praised the initiative and presented N1 million to six NiYA beneficiaries—one from each of the six geo-political zones—as a start-up package.

He described NiYA as a launch pad for a new generation of entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals who will thrive in the digital economy.

“We know that skills, not just certificates, are the real currency of today’s global digital economy,” Edun added.

A Vision for the Future

The launch of the Nigerian Youth Academy underscores Tinubu’s vision to prepare Nigerian youth to be self-sufficient, innovative, and competitive in a rapidly changing world.

The government urged young Nigerians to take advantage of the academy’s opportunities and play an active role in shaping their futures.