Temisan Olaifa
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s youth empowerment initiatives are driven by a sincere commitment to expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, rather than partisan political considerations.
Idris made the clarification on Tuesday night in Abuja during an interactive session with youths from the APC Youth Wing and tertiary institutions across the Federal Capital Territory, at The Nest Resource Centre, Abuja. The session, which featured open and candid conversations, was moderated by Dr. Dayo Israel, the APC National Youth Leader.
According to the Minister, youth-focused programmes of the Tinubu administration are deliberately designed to be inclusive, accessible, and impactful, regardless of political affiliation.
“NELFUND is for Nigerians; it is not for APC. The 3MTT is for Nigerians; it is not for APC,” Idris said. “Everything the President is doing is about restoring prosperity, dignity, and renewing hope, so that young people can fulfil their potential and believe again in their country.”
He disclosed that, based on the latest data, over 788,000 students are currently benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with more than ₦250 billion committed to tuition support and student upkeep across tertiary institutions nationwide.
The Minister also highlighted the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, a flagship digital skills initiative launched by the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy on behalf of President Tinubu. The programme is targeted at training three million Nigerians in high-demand technical and digital skills to improve employability and competitiveness in the global digital economy.
“What excites me most is that even those who say these programmes are not real are enrolling, including people from other political parties,” he noted. “That tells you these initiatives are working and reaching Nigerians as intended.”
Idris described the Tinubu administration as one that would be remembered as the most youth-friendly in Nigeria’s history, citing not only large-scale empowerment programmes but also the deliberate appointment of young people into strategic leadership positions.
“Young people must begin by trusting this administration,” he said. “This is a government that has invested heavily in your future and continues to listen, engage, and create opportunities.”
On the economy, the Minister said the President’s bold reforms are beginning to yield positive outcomes, with signs of recovery becoming increasingly evident. He pointed to the steady reduction in food prices and a decline in inflation as indicators that the economy has turned a corner.
“Inflation is coming down,” Idris said. “The President projected a drop to 15 per cent, and today we are already at 14.45 percent. These are not coincidences; they are results of deliberate policy choices.”
He further noted that Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list is a significant milestone that will strengthen the integrity of the financial system, enhance investor confidence, and improve Nigeria’s access to global financial markets.
The Minister urged young Nigerians to continue supporting the administration as it lays a strong foundation for sustainable national prosperity. He also called on youths to use their influence and numerical strength on social media responsibly by amplifying verified information and countering misinformation.
“Social media is a powerful tool for development, but it can also be used to harm society,” he cautioned. “If you are not sure a piece of information is accurate, please don’t share it. Verify first.”
Idris reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda remains firmly anchored on youth empowerment, inclusion, and national renewal, stressing that the future the administration is building belongs to all Nigerians.
