7m youth-target for digital literacy, empowerment by 2027 – Tinubu
… says agricultural scheme has empowered over 100,000 youth.
President Bola Tinubu says his administration is set to empower seven million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills, aiming to create millions of job opportunities in the next two years.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Strategic Youth Leadership Conference 2025.
The conference organised by Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with National Defence College, aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the strategic thinking and leadership tools to become proactive agents of national development.
The President said that his administration was poised to position Nigerians in the global talent of digital literacy and ensure effective youth participation in the global digital economy.
He outlined key strategies for youth development under the renewable agenda, including the Nigerian Youth Academy and the National Learning Platform.
“At this point, let me mention the plan of our administration and intent to put a pathway for our new development under the Nigerian Youth Academy.
“This national learning platform is targeted for seven million young Nigerians with digital and vocational skills and aim to create doors of the millions of opportunities for the young people by 2027,” he said.
According to him, there are three entities, which is a three million technical talent programme focuses on advancing digital skills, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
“The administration aims to achieve 70 per cent national digital literacy by 2027 to ensure effective youth participation in the global digital economy.
“We have a labour, and employment programme, which targets 2.5 million jobs through enterprise trainings and employment matches,’’ he said.
Tinubu emphasised the importance of creating the right environment for youth to gain mentorship, quality education, economic empowerment, and inclusive governance.
According to him, the administration believes in a Nigeria, where every young person has the opportunity to lead and contribute to national development.
“The future of Nigeria is in the hand and mind of our young people today. The energy, the creativity and the courage of our youths are the greatest national asset we have.
“However, energy without directions and potential without preparation can lead to frustration.
“That is why this conference is so timely and apt; it is about developing strategies, inducing sustainable leadership.
“It’s also about building the values of service, accountability, innovation and national building in the next generation,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government student’s loan scheme initiative aimed at reducing non-school activities, focusing on education and career development.
He noted that the Nigerian Youth Fellowship and the U.S. initiative aimed to develop youth leaders in all 774 local government areas to strengthen primary health and public health awareness.
He said that the Federal Government youth agricultural scheme empowered over 100,000 youths as entrepreneurs to ensure food security and achieve rural development goals.
Tinubu said that the country was at the unique junction in its national journey and there was the need to continue to shape the character of the youth.
NAN
