President Bola Tinubu’s administration has launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a comprehensive initiative aimed at equipping Nigerian youths with the necessary skills to thrive in the global arena. Recognizing Nigeria’s youthful demographic, with a median age of 17 and projections to become the world’s third-largest population by 2050, President Tinubu emphasized the urgency of empowering this demographic. NiYA focuses on three core areas: education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership and civic engagement. The academy seeks to provide world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries, ensuring Nigerian youth can compete effectively on a global scale.
The Nigerian Youth Academy is designed to address critical challenges hindering Nigeria’s progress, including a low human capital index ranking, high youth unemployment, and pervasive learning poverty. These issues represent significant obstacles to individual and national development, and NiYA aims to transform this narrative by providing concrete opportunities for skill acquisition and economic empowerment. The academy will train millions of young Nigerians over the next two years, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to compete internationally. This initiative represents an investment not only in the future of Nigerian youth but also in the future of the nation as a whole.
NiYA will leverage various programs and initiatives to achieve its objectives. The Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will offer financial support, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs. The establishment of a National Youth Development Bank will further facilitate access to capital, enabling young people to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. The academy will also nurture future leaders by providing training in governance, policy-making, and community development. Recognizing that true change occurs at the grassroots level, NiYA emphasizes community engagement as a crucial element of its approach.
The launch of NiYA was marked by a presentation of N1 million to six representatives from each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones. This start-up package symbolizes the academy’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering self-reliance. The Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, emphasized that NiYA fulfills President Tinubu’s promise to create a platform for Nigerian youth to achieve their dreams, particularly in securing good jobs and building better lives. The academy’s focus on upskilling and bridging the skills gap in the job market aligns with the demands of the current global economy.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, hailed NiYA as a bold and ambitious step towards fulfilling President Tinubu’s commitment to youth empowerment. The initiative directly addresses the aspirations of over 60 million Nigerian youths, both within the country and in the diaspora, who seek opportunities to develop their knowledge, skills, and potential. Mr. Edun underscored the importance of skills in today’s digital economy, positioning NiYA as a launchpad for a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs, creators, professionals, and innovators. The academy aims to empower young people to leverage the internet and participate effectively in the global marketplace.
The Nigerian Youth Academy signifies a significant investment in Nigeria’s human capital. By equipping its young population with relevant skills and providing access to resources and opportunities, the initiative aims to unlock the nation’s potential for economic growth and development. The focus on digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership development reflects a forward-looking approach, preparing Nigerian youth for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This comprehensive strategy, encompassing education, economic empowerment, and leadership training, is poised to transform the lives of millions of young Nigerians and shape the future trajectory of the nation.
