The Federal Government has placed a spotlight on young Nigerians as the engine of the nation’s next phase of economic growth, using the 2025 NIYA Startup Grant Award Ceremony and launch of NIYA Gigs to showcase how youth-led innovation is becoming central to Nigeria’s development strategy.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House Conference Hall, Chief of Staff Rt. Hon. Olufemi Akeem Gbajabiamila emphasized that the administration’s vision for economic renewal is being built around the ideas, energy, and ambition of the youth.
This was contained in a statement on Tuesday, by Omolara Esan, Director of Information and Public Relations.
The President’s message emphasized clearly that the new wave of national reforms is not just about supporting young Nigerians but positioning them as co-architects of Nigeria’s future.
Rather than viewing youth empowerment as a social program, the administration is framing it as a strategic economic imperative.
According to him, each policy intervention—from entrepreneurship funding to digital infrastructure and green innovation—is designed to remove structural and financial barriers that have long constrained youth productivity.
Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, reinforced this narrative, noting that Nigeria’s demographic advantage represents an unprecedented economic opportunity. With over 65% of citizens under age 30, he said, youth are not just beneficiaries of reform—they are the nation’s competitive edge in the global economy.
The NIYA Startup Programme and NIYA Gigs were presented not merely as empowerment schemes but as pipelines for cultivating globally competitive talent. With structured mentorship, advanced digital training, creative economy opportunities, and entrepreneurship support, the initiatives aim to produce a generation capable of driving Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
“These are direct pathways to productivity,” Olawande noted, adding that recent reforms have dismantled legacy systems that once limited access to markets and opportunity.
Minister of Finance Wale Edun echoed this, stressing that the current economic climate now rewards ability over connections. According to him, the administration’s reforms are creating a level playing field where young entrepreneurs can scale businesses based on talent, innovation, and determination.
The event underscored a central message: Nigeria’s economic transformation will be youth-led, and the NIYA platforms represent a practical blueprint for empowering a generation prepared to compete and succeed in a rapidly evolving global landscape.