Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Harness Youth and Innovation for National Rebirth

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to seize the moment and leverage the country’s youthful population, creativity, and energy to drive national development, declaring: “We must act now.”

Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with the Nigerian community in Brazil, Tinubu emphasized that his administration is committed to transforming Nigeria through technology and food security, even amid the economic challenges posed by ongoing reforms.

“We must bring Nigeria to the forefront of Africa’s progress, driven by technology, food sovereignty, and the courage to change our destiny,” Tinubu said, according to a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

The President reflected on Nigeria’s economic history, noting that the country once stood on equal footing with Brazil but had since fallen behind.

“Once upon a time, Nigeria and Brazil stood on the same level. Look at Brazil today—its technology, its food systems. We must ask ourselves: what do they have that we don’t? We have the brains, the energy, and the youth. Now, we must act,” he stressed.

Tinubu applauded the contributions of Nigerians in Brazil, calling them “the pride of our nation,” and urged them to channel their talents and resources toward Nigeria’s development. He acknowledged that his administration’s reforms have caused hardship but likened them to “bitter medicine” necessary for long-term recovery.

“Yes, the reforms are tough. But once the fever is gone, you know the cure was worth it,” he said.

He also endorsed an upcoming cultural initiative by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, praising the author’s resilience at over 90 years old as a reminder that Nigerians must continue to pursue bold aspirations.

Responding on behalf of the Nigerian diaspora, Chika Emmanuel, Chairman of the Nigerian Community in Brazil, expressed support for the government’s focus on agriculture, infrastructure, and education. He highlighted a surge in academic achievement among Nigerians in Brazil, noting an increase in PhD students from just three last year to 296, most on scholarships.

On the community’s call for additional consulates in São Paulo and other cities, Tinubu asked for patience, citing the need to carefully manage national resources while sustaining global diplomatic missions.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, described the gathering as “a moment of historical significance,” while Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani praised the administration’s economic reforms, including the clearance of a $7 billion foreign exchange backlog and the elimination of multiple exchange rates—measures he said were restoring investor confidence.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, encouraged Nigerians in São Paulo to continue using the existing liaison office until permanent consular upgrades are completed.

The meeting was coordinated by Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Chair Abike Dabiri-Erewa and attended by top officials, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.