FG plans to establish National youth development bank and youth data bank

The Federal Government on Tuesday unveiled plans to create a National Youth Development Bank and a Youth Data Bank aimed at providing financial and informational support to young Nigerians.

President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the announcement at the Stakeholders Roundtable on Northern Youth Development organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Abuja.

In his address, President Tinubu emphasized that these new institutions are crucial tools in advancing the government’s vision for youth empowerment.

He noted that the creation of these data banks is part of his administration’s comprehensive youth development strategy, which spans key sectors to drive Nigeria’s economic transformation.

Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, describing him as a visionary leader whose efforts laid the foundation for the nation’s progress.

He stressed that the development of Northern Nigeria is essential to Nigeria’s overall prosperity, saying, “Whatever disrupts the growth of one region sets back the entire nation.”

Addressing the challenges of youth education, he highlighted the alarming statistic of children out of school, which he said should be a source of concern and a catalyst for urgent action.

The Federal Government plans to create a National Youth Development Bank and Youth Data Bank to empower young Nigerians through financial support and vital information,” President Tinubu’s representative, Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced at the Northern Youth Development Roundtable.

He outlined several initiatives aimed at addressing these issues, including the three million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters, and the Skill-Up Artisans Programme (SUPA).

Tinubu also discussed various schemes to support youth entrepreneurship, such as the National Youth Talent Export Programme (NATEP) and the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In terms of economic opportunities, the President emphasized the importance of Nigeria’s creative and digital economy, calling it a “goldmine” for youth development.

He also pointed to the agriculture sector and the industrialization of Northern Nigeria as key drivers of economic growth and job creation.

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Regarding security challenges in the region, Tinubu outlined plans to strengthen community policing, rehabilitate displaced persons, and address cross-border security issues such as insurgency and smuggling.

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Looking ahead, the President warned that by 2050, Nigeria will become the third-largest country in the world, with the majority of its population under the age of 21.

He described the nation’s youth as central to the country’s future, saying, “You are not just the future of this nation—you are its present.”

He promised that his administration would create opportunities for youth to thrive in a competitive global landscape.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, also spoke at the event, emphasizing the critical role of youth education in national development.

He stressed that youth should not be seen only as leaders of tomorrow but as leaders of today, and called for continued dialogue between youth and stakeholders in Northern Nigeria.

The Sultan further underscored the importance of investing in education, asserting that it is the most powerful legacy any leader can leave.

The event, which marked the 15th anniversary of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, was an important step in furthering the conversation on youth development in Northern Nigeria.