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FG To Establish Youth Development Bank

Published

2 hours ago

Nov 20, 2024.

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank to provide financial and informational support to young Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, revealed this at a Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development in Abuja, organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that he highlighted the administration’s comprehensive youth development strategy designed to spur Nigeria’s economic growth across key sectors.

Tinubu praised the legacy of Ahmadu Bello, the late Sardauna of Sokoto, stating that Nigeria’s prosperity depends on the development of all regions.

He emphasized that challenges such as the high number of out-of-school children demand urgent action, describing them as a roadblock to turning the nation’s population into an asset.

The administration’s youth-focused initiatives include the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA), National Youth Academy (NIYA), and the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP).

Additionally, programs like the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) aim to enhance access to education and foster entrepreneurship.

Tinubu highlighted agricultural investments to solidify the North’s position as an agricultural hub and laid out security strategies to restore stability, including community policing and tackling insurgency.

He noted that by 2050, Nigeria is projected to become the third-largest country globally, with a majority under 21, making it critical to prepare for a stable and secure federation.

“Youth are not just the future but the present of Nigeria,” Tinubu stated, calling on young Nigerians to actively shape the nation’s policies and seize the opportunities provided by the government.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, stressed the importance of education, asserting that it is the strongest legacy leaders can provide. He called for increased investment in educating the nation’s children, emphasizing continuous dialogue with youth to foster development.

The roundtable also marked the 15th anniversary of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, with its Board of Trustees Chairman, Muazu Babangida, commending the progress made over the years.

This initiative reflects the Tinubu administration’s commitment to harnessing youth potential as a driver for democracy, development, and progress.