In a rousing Independence Day message to mark Nigeria’s 65th anniversary of nationhood, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised the youth of Nigeria as the country’s “greatest assets” and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering them through innovation, education, and economic support.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday, President Tinubu emphasised the central role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future, calling on them to “dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories” across diverse fields such as science, technology, sports, and the arts.
“You are the future and the greatest assets of this blessed country,” President Tinubu said in his national broadcast. “You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector.”
The President outlined a range of initiatives his government has introduced to bolster youth development, highlighting key achievements in education funding, consumer credit access, and targeted investment programmes.
Educational support: NELFUND, student loans
Tinubu spotlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), a flagship initiative aimed at easing the financial burden on students in higher education. According to the President, around 510,000 students across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have benefited from the scheme, which spans 228 higher institutions nationwide.
“As of September 10, the total loan disbursed was N99.5 billion, while the upkeep allowance stood at N44.7 billion,” he revealed.
Expanding credit access: Credicorp, youthCred
The President also announced progress on Credicorp, a government-backed scheme providing affordable consumer credit. Thus far, N30 billion in loans has been disbursed to 153,000 Nigerians to finance vehicles, solar energy solutions, home upgrades, and digital devices.
YouthCred, another initiative launched under Tinubu’s leadership, was also highlighted as a major achievement. Designed specifically for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the programme offers consumer credit to support young Nigerians as they transition into post-service life.
“YouthCred, which I promised last June, is a reality, with tens of thousands of NYSC members now active beneficiaries of consumer credit for resettlement,” Tinubu said.
Investing in Innovation: The iDICE Programme
As part of the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, the President reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to create equitable opportunities for young people regardless of their background. One of the flagship programmes supporting this vision is the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (iDICE) initiative.
Backed by the Bank of Industry in collaboration with international partners — including the African Development Bank, the French Development Agency, and the Islamic Development Bank — iDICE aims to provide support and capital to young entrepreneurs and creatives.
“This initiative is at the cusp of implementation,” Tinubu noted. “Over the last two years, we have collaborated with our partners to launch the programme, supporting our young builders and dreamers in the technology and creative sectors.”
A renewed call to action
President Tinubu concluded his message with a strong call to action, urging Nigerian youth to seize the opportunities presented to them and take bold steps toward building a better Nigeria.
“Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high,” he declared.
The President’s speech comes at a time of significant socio-economic challenges for Nigeria, but also a moment of opportunity. His administration’s focus on youth empowerment is widely seen as a crucial pillar in the nation’s long-term development strategy.
As Nigeria marks another year of independence, the emphasis on its young population — the largest in Africa — underscores a shift towards investing in homegrown innovation, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
