President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed on Monday that all the major decisions taken by his administration, including the controversial fuel subsidy removal, are aimed at securing a better future for Nigerian youths.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Planning Committee for the National Youth Conference at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized that the youth, who make up over 60 percent of the Nigerian population, are at the heart of the ongoing economic reforms.
“I want to reassure you that you are the hope of this country, and everything hangs on you. Every decision that I have taken is about you. It’s about the future. When we removed the fuel subsidy, it was because we wanted to protect your future. We have cleared the path for you to have a great future,” the President stated, as quoted in a release by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu also highlighted the connection between youth empowerment and the decision to tackle the fuel subsidy, stressing that addressing the country’s economic challenges would help retain Nigerian talent and reduce the exodus of professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
“When you listen to most professionals leaving Nigeria, there’s a cause. If you grow prosperity back home and empower people, they will not bother leaving. They will stay home,” the President remarked.
The President addressed the 44-member committee and expressed his commitment to implementing the outcomes of their deliberations, emphasizing that this initiative was an opportunity for the youth to shape the nation’s future.
“This is your opportunity to develop the nation and make it prosperous. The government of today is all about you. You can be critical of politicians and abuse them all the way you can, but politics is about development and the future of generations. You are the heartbeat of our nation, and I hope you take this responsibility seriously,” he said.
Tinubu also touched on the positive economic indicators, citing the steady decline in food prices, stabilization of the exchange rate, and increased investor confidence. He described the early stages of the reforms as challenging, but noted that progress was evident.
“When we started, it looked so foggy, dicey, and hopeless. We worked hard, and it was like drawing water out of a dry well. But today, the economy has turned the corner; prices are falling, confidence in our economy is improving, investors are looking this way, and technology is advancing,” he said.
The President assured the youth that their voices would be heard and that their ideas would shape the future. “Just look me in the face and tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way forward. Be frank. We will implement your suggestions so long as they are for the country’s prosperity,” Tinubu added.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, thanked the President for giving the youth a significant role in shaping national policies and recognized the administration’s efforts in empowering young people, such as the student loan scheme, which has already benefited over 260,000 students.
“We want to thank you for the futuristic ideas; more than 260,000 students have already benefited from the administration’s student loan schemes. We appreciate the renovation of the Third Mainland Bridge for us to use and clearing the passport backlog,” Olawande said.
Committee member Samson Itodo also commended the President for his initiative and outlined the committee’s priorities, which include political governance, economic transformation, future skills like Artificial Intelligence, climate change, energy transition, and social cohesion. Itodo added that the framework would involve consultations, memoranda calls, regional town hall meetings, and the main Abuja conference.
The inauguration of the planning committee marks a significant step in the administration’s effort to involve Nigerian youth in shaping the country’s future through policy development.
