Abuja, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu says his administration’s ongoing economic reforms are designed to empower Nigerian youths with globally competitive skills and secure a stronger future for the country.
Tinubu spoke on Monday at the State House in Abuja while receiving the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, who is in Nigeria for youth-focused engagements.
The president said young people remain central to Nigeria’s economic repositioning and must “take ownership” of the reforms now shaping the nation’s long-term development.
“We will be participating in the G-20 this week. It is the third time Africa is hosting the G-20. And the central issue is about our youth,” Tinubu said.
“We need to strengthen the economy for our youths. The reforms are about growth and prosperity for the nation. It takes into full consideration demography and skills development. We are emulating best practices in exploring opportunities in several areas of skills development.”
Tinubu highlighted the newly launched students’ loans fund, saying it is intended to ensure that no qualified student is forced to abandon their education due to financial constraints.
“Our goal is to use education to drive down poverty,” he added.
He explained that the reform agenda cuts across key sectors of the economy, with an emphasis on policy harmony, stakeholder collaboration and alignment with national development targets.
On infrastructure, Tinubu said the federal government is accelerating the deployment of fibre optic cables and other digital infrastructure to expand internet access and deepen youth inclusion in the digital economy and governance.
The president also noted that his administration is tackling security challenges “with notable progress,” and he thanked humanitarian agencies for supporting victims of terrorism and communal violence.
Earlier, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said Nigeria’s median age of about 17 years informed the government’s focus on youth-oriented reforms aimed at widening opportunities for skills development, jobs and entrepreneurship.
Prince Edward, who chairs the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, commended Tinubu’s reform efforts, saying they had been positively received internationally.
He said an upcoming award ceremony in Lagos would honour 320 Nigerian youths for excellence in skills development, passion and community service under the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award framework.
“We have seen the guidance of the Minister of Finance, who has been a brilliant trustee and a champion of the young people,” the Duke said.
Prince Edward was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Montgomery, and other senior officials of the Award Foundation.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global programme for non-formal education delivered through schools, youth groups and community organisations, aimed at building character, skills and leadership among young people.
