Abuja: The Federal Government announced on Tuesday its plans to establish a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank. President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this announcement during a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja. These banks are seen as essential for providing financial and informational support to young Nigerians, as part of a broader youth development strategy aimed at driving Nigeria’s economic transformation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, President Tinubu praised the legacy of the late Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Premier of Northern Nigeria, highlighting his vision for national unity and progress. The President emphasized that Northern Nigeria’s development is crucial for the country’s prosperity, pointing out that regional challenges impact national growth. He acknowledged the high number of out-of-school children as a pressing concern, urgi
ng for immediate action to turn this challenge into a demographic dividend.
President Tinubu reiterated the administration’s commitment to youth initiatives like the three million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters. He detailed various programmes, including the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP), aimed at harnessing the potential of the creative and digital economy.
The President also announced other initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for higher education, Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE), and the Outsource to Nigeria Initiative (OTNI) for global market participation. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of the Youth Enterprise Clusters and the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme for youth accommodation.
In agriculture, Tinubu emphasized investments to make the North Nigeria’s agricultural hub, and he addressed se
curity challenges by proposing measures such as community policing and support for displaced persons. He stressed the need for urgent action, given Nigeria’s projected population growth, to ensure a stable and orderly federation.
The President challenged young Nigerians to actively shape the nation’s future, assuring them of the government’s commitment to providing skills and opportunities for global competitiveness. He reiterated the administration’s dedication to unlocking the potential of Nigerian youth to transform the country into a model of democracy and progress.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, also spoke at the event, underscoring the critical role of youth education in national development. He called for continuous dialogue with youth and emphasized the importance of education as a lasting legacy, advocating for increased investment in educating children.
Earlier, Muazu Babangida, Chairman of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, noted the event’s significance as part of the foundation’s 1
5th anniversary celebrations.