The federal government has urged Nigerian youths to engage actively with opportunities, build relevant skills, embrace lifelong learning, and see public service as a platform for national contribution.
The call was made by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, while delivering the 2026 Convocation Lecture at the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State. The lecture was titled “Youth and Nation Building: Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms.”
Addressing graduating students, the Minister described Nigeria as a youthful nation with vast potential, stressing that the country’s future depends largely on how young people are educated, skilled, and engaged in productive activities. “Nigeria, like the rest of Africa, happens to be a very youthful country, with half of our population under the age of 20, and three-quarters under the age of 35,” he said. “With the right education, skilling, and preparation for the rapidly transforming workspaces of the 21st century, Nigeria will be an unstoppable global force.”
Idris explained that the reforms introduced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration were deliberate steps aimed at resetting Nigeria’s economic and governance systems. He said nation-building cannot be achieved without change, noting that reforms are necessary to move the country forward. “There is no nation-building without reforms,” he said. “Reforms protect us from the trap of doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting different results.”
He highlighted policy changes, including the removal of petrol subsidy, foreign exchange unification, and the introduction of new tax laws. According to him, the reforms were not designed to place additional burdens on citizens, but to build a fairer and more transparent system that supports development. “The goal was never to take more from Nigerians, but to simplify taxation and make it fairer and more transparent,” the Minister said.
The Minister noted that the reforms are already helping to restore investor confidence and open up opportunities in key sectors such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy, and the creative economy.
Idris also referenced government-backed programmes aimed at supporting education and youth development, particularly the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He said the initiative has supported hundreds of thousands of students and demonstrates the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Through NELFUND, we have incontrovertible proof that the Renewed Hope Agenda is real, functional, impactful, and transformational,” he said.
In remarks to the graduates, the Minister urged them to see themselves as active builders of the nation, regardless of their current status or resources. He encouraged them to keep learning, sharpen their skills, and take responsibility for contributing to national growth. “You can build from where you are, with what you have,” he said. “You do not need to wait until you have amassed wealth or influence before contributing to nation-building. Start now.”
He congratulated the graduating students and thanked the management of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, for the opportunity to deliver the Convocation Lecture.
Dignitaries at the event included the representative of the Governor of Niger State, Mr Obet Nana, who also serves as the Commissioner of Information; the Vice Chancellor of FUT Minna, Prof. Abdallah Adamu Kuta; former Vice Chancellor of the institution, Muftau Akanji; Senator Peter Nda Alkali, representing Niger South Senatorial Zone; the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace; and a former Minister of Sports, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, among others. At this time.
