The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to empowering young Nigerians through transformative programmes that focus on education, job creation, and innovation.
Speaking as the Special Guest Speaker at the APC North West Youth Pally held in Dutse, the Minister said the event was a celebration of the progress made under the Renewed Hope Agenda in the past two years. Idris emphasized that President Tinubu has demonstrated rare confidence in young people by giving them real responsibilities and leadership roles.
“From cabinet appointments to digital innovation and education reforms, young Nigerians are not just part of the story — they are the drivers of it,” he said.
Highlighting some of the key youth-focused initiatives of the administration, the Minister mentioned the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed ₦116 billion to over 620,000 students, and the 3MTT Programme, which has attracted close to two million applicants aimed at creating three million digital and technical jobs across Nigeria.
He also spoke about the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) initiative that has certified one million Nigerians in 25 different trades, with about 250,000 already placed in training centres. According to him, “These are not plans, they are results already being felt in schools, workshops, and communities across the country.”
Idris further revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency’s Energizing Education Programme is providing stable electricity to federal universities and teaching hospitals such as Bayero University Kano and Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, enabling students to study and carry out research without power interruptions.
On economic reforms, the Minister explained that the new Nigeria Tax Act, which takes effect in January 2026, will exempt small businesses earning ₦100 million or less from company income and capital gains taxes. He said this reform will “help thousands of young entrepreneurs reinvest in their dreams and grow their businesses.”
He added that other ongoing government programmes include the MSME Clinics, the iDICE initiative — a $517 million partnership to boost Nigeria’s digital and creative economy — and the successful Eurobond oversubscription by 400 percent, which he described as “clear proof of growing global confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction.”
The Minister also pointed out that Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List is another sign of the administration’s credibility and improved international reputation.
Idris called on young Nigerians to stay united and avoid spreading fake news or messages that promote division. “Let’s use our voices and our platforms to build, not to destroy,” he said. “Tinubu’s leadership is about giving every Nigerian, no matter where they come from, a fair chance to succeed.”
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to creating a Nigeria where the creativity and energy of the youth continue to drive national renewal and progress.
The APC North West Youth Pally was attended by Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar A. Namadi; Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Honourable Haruna Aliyu; Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Sa’id Ahmed; APC National Youth Leader, Dr Dayo Israel; Chairman Senate Committee on Youth, Senator Iya Abbas; Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Ahmed Abdullahi; and Managing Director of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Mr Akintunde Sawyerr, among other dignitaries and delegates from the North West region.
