Tinubu Says Youth-Focused Reforms Will Secure Nigeria’s Economic Future

ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that his administration’s sweeping economic reforms are intentionally designed to secure the future of Nigeria’s young population by expanding their access to skills, opportunities and institutional support needed to thrive in a fast-changing global economy.

The President made the remarks on Monday while receiving Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, at the State House in Abuja. The Duke, who chairs the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, visited to brief Tinubu on the upcoming award ceremony scheduled for Lagos.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described youths as central to Nigeria’s development agenda.

He said the government is preparing to participate in this week’s G-20 meetings, where youth empowerment will be a dominant theme.

“We need to strengthen the economy for our youths,” Tinubu said.

He highlighted several initiatives, including the new Education Loan Fund, which is designed to ensure no student drops out of tertiary education due to financial hardship.

He added that extensive infrastructure upgrades—particularly the laying of nationwide fibre-optic cables—will broaden digital access and integrate more young Nigerians into the global digital economy.

Tinubu also said the reforms are enhancing collaboration among institutions, strengthening long-term stability and improving security—an essential foundation for economic growth.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, noted that Nigeria’s median age of 17 underscores the urgency of reforms targeting job creation and skills expansion.

Prince Edward praised the administration’s reforms, saying they have gained positive international attention.

He said the Lagos award ceremony will celebrate 320 exceptional young Nigerians who have demonstrated resilience, passion and commitment to personal development.

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Mirian Gom

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Gom Mirian AHR Senior Correspondent, has over 8 years’ experience reporting on health, crime, education, investigations, and development issues across Nigeria and Africa. With dual degrees in Economics, she combines analytical skill with compelling storytelling. Widely recognised for her public health and humanitarian reporting, she earned a Nestlé Award nomination for compelling human-interest journalism. Follow her on Twitter @mirian_linus.

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