|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has declared that President Bola Tinubu’s youth empowerment initiatives are driven by a genuine commitment to widening opportunities for young Nigerians, not by partisan political interests.
Idris made the assertion on Tuesday night in Abuja during an interactive engagement with youths drawn from the APC Youth Wing and tertiary institutions across the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at the session, which featured open and candid exchanges and was moderated by the APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel, the minister said youth-focused programmes under the Tinubu administration are intentionally inclusive, accessible, and impactful, irrespective of political affiliation.
He stressed that flagship initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme are designed for all Nigerians.
“NELFUND is for Nigerians; it is not for APC. The 3MTT is for Nigerians; it is not for APC,” Idris said, noting that the administration’s broader objective is to restore prosperity, dignity, and hope, while enabling young people to realise their potential.
According to him, over 788,000 students are currently benefiting from NELFUND, with more than ₦250 billion committed to tuition fees and student upkeep across tertiary institutions nationwide.
Idris also highlighted the 3MTT Programme, a digital skills initiative of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, aimed at equipping three million Nigerians with in-demand technical and digital skills to boost employability and global competitiveness.
He said the programmes’ growing uptake across political lines underscores their effectiveness.
“Even those who say these programmes are not real are enrolling, including people from other political parties. That tells you they are working,” he added.
The minister described the Tinubu administration as potentially the most youth-friendly in Nigeria’s history, citing large-scale empowerment schemes and the deliberate inclusion of young Nigerians in key leadership positions.
On the economy, Idris said the President’s bold reforms are beginning to deliver results, pointing to easing food prices and a gradual decline in inflation. He noted that inflation has fallen to 14.45 per cent, ahead of projections, attributing the trend to deliberate policy choices.
He also said Nigeria’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list marks a major milestone that will boost investor confidence, strengthen the financial system, and improve access to global financial markets.
Idris urged young Nigerians to continue supporting the administration and to deploy their influence on social media responsibly by sharing verified information and countering misinformation.
Reaffirming the Renewed Hope Agenda, the minister said youth empowerment, inclusion, and national renewal remain central to the government’s vision, adding that the future being built belongs to all Nigerians.
