The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, on Tuesday in Abuja inaugurated the National Financial Literacy, Investment and Wealth Creation Training Programme, emphasising that financial knowledge has become essential for young people in today’s world. Speaking during the event, Olawande explained that the ministry, in partnership with Investonaire Academy, was unveiling a new initiative focused on equipping youths with practical financial skills. He stated that financial literacy was now key to survival and noted that young people must begin to adapt to changing economic realities.
According to him, financial literacy is not just an advantage but a necessity, especially for those seeking long-term stability. Olawande encouraged Nigerian youths to think beyond conventional paths and explore new opportunities for wealth creation. He said young people should focus on building ideas, creating value and pursuing financial freedom rather than relying only on government jobs. He added that he hoped to see fewer young people depending on government employment and more becoming entrepreneurs and employers.
Olawande said he had observed that many young people were eager to be employed, and the ministry aimed to support them through training and targeted initiatives. He explained that the programme targets more than 4,000 corps members every year, with a commitment to ensure they receive the support needed to succeed. He described the launch as a defining moment in the country’s journey toward prosperity, purpose and wider opportunities for young Nigerians.
He noted that many young people dream of becoming millionaires, but the first step is learning the basics of financial literacy. He said the ministry had already unveiled several initiatives for corps members and remained committed to sustaining this support. Olawande stressed that the period for motivational talks had passed, saying the focus was now on taking action. He revealed that before the end of the year, more than 200 startups would be empowered and urged young people to take advantage of the opportunity. According to him, Nigeria needs ideas, innovation and people ready to partner with the government to shape the nation’s future and empower its youth.
Also speaking at the event, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the world had become a dynamic marketplace, with more than 8.5 trillion dollars traded daily in the global forex market alone.
Sicre explained that the market rewards productive and innovative individuals based on the value they create. He said higher value creation leads to higher rewards, noting that knowledge plays a central role in determining what individuals can offer. According to him, distinct and sophisticated knowledge enables people to command greater value in any marketplace.
