President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the mounting concerns of Nigerian youths over unemployment, the rising cost of living, limited access to education and insecurity, stating that his administration bears a responsibility to address their expectations.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Youth Conference, the president said young Nigerians deserve more than explanations about the country’s economic difficulties. His address was delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Nigeria’s economic challenges have been compounded by the shocks from the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira, while geopolitical conflicts and wars have further disrupted global energy and commodity markets, worsening cost-of-living pressures on households. Persistent insecurity in several parts of the country has also crippled local economies, disrupted farming and commercial activities, displaced communities and forced schools to close, leaving millions of children exposed to prolonged educational disruption.
“I understand the challenges confronting our young people. I know that many of you are concerned about employment, the cost of living, access to education, opportunities to start businesses and the security of your communities,” Mr Tinubu said.
The president also acknowledged young people’s desire for a country where hard work is rewarded, talent is recognised and opportunities are not determined by personal connections or background. “These are legitimate expectations. They are expectations that government has a responsibility to address,” he said.
Mr Tinubu said his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was designed to build an economy that creates opportunities, rewards enterprise and gives Nigerians a fair chance to succeed. While conceding that the government’s economic reforms had come with sacrifices, he insisted that young Nigerians should see the promised opportunities translate into tangible improvements in their lives.
“I know that these reforms have come with sacrifices. But I also know that young Nigerians deserve more than explanations about the difficulties of today. You deserve to see the opportunities of tomorrow becoming realities in your lives,” he said.
The president listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent programme, YouthCred and the Nigerian Youth Academy among the initiatives his administration is implementing to expand opportunities for young people. He said the government would do more to ensure that skills training leads to employment, innovation attracts investment and young entrepreneurs have continued access to financing, while promising to support young Nigerians to succeed regardless of their backgrounds or locations.
