Maryam Aminu
In a bold move to position young Nigerians at the centre of the nation’s economic future, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development has launched a National Financial Literacy, Investment and Wealth Creation Training Programme a flagship initiative billed as one of the government’s most ambitious youth economic empowerment efforts yet.
Unveiled on Tuesday at the Rainbow Event Marquee Centre in Abuja, the programme signals a strategic push by the Federal Government to build a new generation of financially savvy, investment-ready, and enterprise-driven Nigerian youth.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, said the initiative marks a turning point in how the country prepares its young people for the realities of modern wealth creation.
“Financial literacy is no longer optional it is a survival skill,” Olawande declared. “We must reshape youth aspirations beyond government jobs. Young people must begin to see themselves as creators of value.”
He stressed that Nigeria’s future depends on raising a self-reliant and disciplined generation that can drive innovation, build sustainable enterprises, and create jobs rather than wait for them.
At the heart of the Ministry’s renewed agenda is a large-scale empowerment plan that provides structured learning, mentorship, digital resources, and real-world business support. A key pillar of this agenda is the Nigeria Youth Academy, a new national digital learning platform modelled after global benchmarks and designed to democratize access to entrepreneurial and capacity-building opportunities.
Olawande, reflecting on his own humble beginnings, urged young people to take responsibility for shaping their future through discipline, innovation and consistency.
Also speaking, the Minister of Economic Planning and Budget, Senator Atiku Bagudu, noted that the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s long-term economic vision particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive to build a $1 trillion Nigerian economy by 2030.
“The road to a trillion-dollar economy demands bold thinking, innovation and full youth participation,” Bagudu said, calling on young Nigerians to seize opportunities in technology and emerging digital markets.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, the Director of Enterprise Development and Promotion, Mr. Mike Nwaogu, described the initiative as a major milestone in building a financially confident and economically active youth population.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, also emphasized that investment in young people remains the nation’s most valuable long-term asset. He urged increased private-sector collaboration to expand youth financial inclusion.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Enefola Odiba, International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, stressed that many young people can generate income but lack the discipline and knowledge to manage money effectively. True financial empowerment, he said, requires consistency and the right financial habits.
The Ministry affirmed that the programme will run nationwide with a focus on equipping millions of young Nigerians with practical tools for wealth creation and long-term economic stability.
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