The Traffic

New Youth Academy to Tackle Unemployment and Skill Deficit in Nigeria

By Achimi Muktar

In a decisive move to combat youth unemployment and bridge Nigeria’s skill gap, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)—a bold initiative aimed at empowering millions of young Nigerians with world-class training in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and technical skills.

The official launch, held at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, underscores the federal government’s commitment to raising Nigeria’s Human Capital Index, tackling joblessness, and unlocking opportunities for its youthful population.

With Nigeria’s median age at just 17 years and projections indicating that the country will become the third-largest in the world by 2050, Tinubu’s administration sees youth empowerment as the key to the nation’s future economic growth and stability.

A Game-Changing Approach to Youth Empowerment

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu emphasized the urgent need for skill acquisition, financial empowerment, and leadership training for Nigerian youth.

“NiYA is a bold response to Nigeria’s low Human Capital Index ranking, unemployment, and other barriers to the nation’s progress,” Shettima stated.

The academy will focus on three critical areas:

✅ Education & Skills Development – Equipping youth with cutting-edge knowledge in digital technology, technical expertise, and the creative economy.
✅ Economic Empowerment – Supporting young entrepreneurs with access to funding, mentorship, and business resources.
✅ Leadership & Civic Engagement – Grooming the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

To reinforce these objectives, the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will provide financial support, while the establishment of a National Youth Development Bank will ensure access to capital for young entrepreneurs to scale their businesses.

Beyond Training: Real Financial Support for Youths

As part of the academy’s launch, six young Nigerians—one from each geo-political zone—received a N1 million startup grant to kickstart their entrepreneurial ventures. This, according to Minister of Finance Wale Edun, is just the beginning of massive financial interventions planned to transform the lives of young Nigerians.

“This startup package is designed to equip young Nigerians with resources to implement their business ideas, become self-employed, and develop skills that will drive innovation and economic growth,” Edun remarked.

The Reality Check: Can NiYA Solve Nigeria’s Youth Crisis?

Despite a slight decline in the unemployment rate to 4.3% in Q2 2024, millions of young Nigerians remain underemployed or trapped in learning poverty. Shettima acknowledged these challenges, stating:

“These statistics are not just numbers; they reflect lives disrupted, dreams deferred, and futures left uncertain. The Nigerian Youth Academy is committed to changing this narrative.”

With its ambitious goal to train and empower millions of Nigerian youth within two years, NiYA could be the game-changer Nigeria desperately needs—if effectively implemented.

The stakes are high, but with proper execution, funding, and private sector collaboration, this initiative could redefine Nigeria’s workforce, reduce unemployment, and unleash a new generation of globally competitive talents.

What’s Next?

With the academy now launched, all eyes will be on how well it delivers on its promise. Will NiYA create real, sustainable jobs, or will it become another government initiative lost in bureaucracy?

For millions of Nigerian youth, the answer could define their future.