Tinubu Unveils Plan to Equip 7 Million Youths with Digital Skills by 2027

President Bola Tinubu has announced a bold initiative to train seven million Nigerian youths in digital and professional skills over the next two years, as part of a broader strategy to position the country as a global hub for talent and innovation.

Speaking through the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, at the 2025 Strategic Youth Leadership Conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu said the initiative aims to unlock millions of job opportunities and drive youth participation in the digital economy.

The conference, jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the National Defence College, focused on empowering young Nigerians with strategic thinking and leadership tools to become proactive agents of national transformation.

“At this point, let me mention the plan of our administration and our intent to put a pathway for our new development under the Nigerian Youth Academy,” Tinubu said.
“This national learning platform is targeted for seven million young Nigerians with digital and vocational skills and aims to create doors of the millions of opportunity for the young people by 2027.”

He explained that the plan includes a Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which will advance skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software engineering. The administration’s goal is to achieve 70% national digital literacy by 2027.

Additional initiatives under the youth development agenda include:

• A labour and employment programme targeting 2.5 million jobs through enterprise training and job matching.
• The Federal Government Student Loan Scheme, aimed at reducing non-school activities and promoting education and career development.
• The Nigerian Youth Fellowship and a U.S.-backed initiative designed to train youth leaders across all 774 local government areas to enhance primary healthcare and public health awareness.
• A youth agricultural empowerment programme that has already benefited over 100,000 young entrepreneurs, contributing to food security and rural development.

Tinubu stressed the need for mentorship, inclusive governance, and creating a supportive environment where every Nigerian youth has the opportunity to lead and thrive.

“The future of Nigeria is in the hands and minds of our young people today. The energy, creativity, and courage of our youth are our nation’s greatest assets,” he said.
“However, energy without direction and potential without preparation can lead to frustration.”

He added that the ongoing leadership conference was timely, as it aimed to instill values of service, accountability, innovation, and nation-building in the next generation.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister, Chief of Staff Mohammed Abdullahi emphasized the strategic importance of the conference, noting that over 70% of Nigeria’s population is under 35.

“The real wealth of this country is not in oil or gas but in the vibrant potential of our youth,” he said. He described the partnership between the ministry and the National Defence College as a strategic effort to shape future leaders for Nigeria and Africa.

Rear Admiral James Okosun, Commandant of the National Defence College, described the event as a “deliberate national investment” aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He said the theme of the conference — “Youth and Leadership: Building the Foundation for Sustainable, Strategic Leadership” — is both timely and essential.

“The vision for Nigeria is one led by young men and women who understand the dignity of leadership and the value of service,” Okosun said, adding that the initiative aims to equip young Nigerians to become proactive contributors to national security and sustainable development.

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