President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that his administration’s wide-ranging economic and institutional reforms are geared towards securing a brighter, more competitive future for Nigeria’s young people.
Hosting the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu stressed that youth remain the driving force of his economic agenda, saying their active ownership of ongoing reforms will help push the country towards long-term prosperity.
Prince Edward, who chairs the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, was in Nigeria to brief the President on the upcoming global award ceremony set to take place in Lagos.
Tinubu said the government is positioning Nigeria on the global stage, noting that youth empowerment will dominate discussions as Africa hosts the G-20 for the third time.
“Our reforms are about growth and national prosperity. They fully consider our population dynamics and prioritise skills development,” he said. “We are adopting global best practices across multiple sectors to unlock opportunities for our young people.”
He highlighted the newly introduced special education loan fund, which aims to ensure that no student drops out of university due to financial constraints. “Our goal is to use education as a tool to drive down poverty,” he added.
Tinubu said the reforms cut across several sectors, with a focus on promoting harmony among stakeholders and building long-term structures to achieve national development goals. He noted that the ongoing expansion of fibre-optic infrastructure will improve digital access and broaden youth inclusion in the economy.
On security, the President said progress is being recorded, expressing appreciation to humanitarian organisations supporting victims of terrorism.
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, reiterated that Nigeria’s youthful median age of 17 has informed the government’s push for reforms that expand skills development, participation, and economic growth.
Prince Edward praised the President’s reform agenda, saying it is being positively received globally. He revealed that 320 Nigerian youths will be honoured at the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award events in Lagos, supported by the Lagos State Government.
He also commended the Finance Minister for his strong advocacy for youth advancement and his “brilliant contribution” to preparations for the global ceremony.
Prince Edward was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Montgomery; his Private Secretary, Alex Potts; the Award Foundation’s Secretary-General, Martin Houghton-Brown; and International Trustee and Africa Region Chair, Muhoho Kenyatta.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global non-formal education framework that equips young people with practical skills, resilience, and a commitment to service. It is delivered through schools, youth organisations, and community groups around the world.
