On the occasion of International Youth Day, President Bola Tinubu has praised the creative energy and innovation of Nigerian youths, highlighting their significant role in driving digital adoption and setting global trends.
Celebrating the youth on August 12, President Tinubu acknowledged their contributions to transforming Nigeria’s digital landscape and fostering sustainable development.
The theme for the 2024 International Youth Day, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” reflects the vital role that young people play in leveraging digital technologies to create positive change.
President Tinubu emphasized that the spirit of innovation and excellence within Nigerian youths holds the potential to propel the nation to new heights of prosperity and global recognition.
The President lauded the remarkable achievements of Nigerian youths across various sectors, particularly their success in developing billion-dollar technologies and innovations that have had a transformative impact on the global stage. He also commended those who are creating sustainable income opportunities in agriculture through agro-technology, contributing to food security and economic growth.
In his address, President Tinubu highlighted his administration’s commitment to harnessing the talents of Nigerian youths through initiatives like the relaunch of the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF). The N110 billion fund, under the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, is dedicated to empowering young people in key sectors to drive sustainable economic growth.
“The facility is a N110 billion fund dedicated to empowering the youth in priority sectors to drive sustainable economic growth and development,” Tinubu said, underscoring the government’s focus on youth empowerment.
President Tinubu also mentioned other empowerment programs, including the Digital and Creative Enterprises (IDiCE) programme, the 3Million Technical Talents Scheme, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP). These initiatives aim to create millions of IT and technical jobs, equipping Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete on a global scale.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to youth development, President Tinubu assured that the government would continue to work towards making the dreams of Nigerian youths a reality in an expanding, inclusive economy.
This recognition on International Youth Day underscores the crucial role of Nigerian youths in shaping the nation’s future and their ongoing contributions to global innovation and progress.