President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says his administration’s ongoing economic and institutional reforms are focused on equipping Nigerian youths with globally competitive skills and securing their future through education-driven prosperity.
“Our goal is to use education to drive down poverty,” the President said on Monday while receiving the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, at the State House, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the meeting also discussed preparations for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award events scheduled to hold in Lagos.
Tinubu said youth development will feature prominently in Nigeria’s engagements at the G-20 meetings this week.
“We will be participating in the G-20 this week. It is the third time Africa is hosting the G-20, and the central issue is our youth. We need to strengthen the economy for our youths,” the President said.
He added that the government’s reform agenda — covering skills development, digital expansion, and economic restructuring — aims to create long-term opportunities for young Nigerians.
“We are emulating best practices in exploring opportunities in several areas of skills development,” Tinubu said, highlighting the recently launched student loan fund as a key initiative to expand access to university education and ensure students remain in school.
The President also noted ongoing investments in fibre-optic deployment and digital infrastructure to widen digital access, alongside efforts to enhance national security and reduce crime.
Tinubu commended humanitarian organisations supporting victims of terrorism, saying their interventions have helped ease hardship in affected regions.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said Nigeria’s median age of 17 underscores the government’s focus on policies that expand youth participation and skills development.
Prince Edward, Chairman of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, praised the administration’s reforms, noting they have attracted positive global attention. He said the Lagos events would celebrate young Nigerians “pursuing their passions, developing relevant skills, and contributing to the nation’s growth.”
He announced that 320 Nigerian youths will be honoured at the ceremonies, hosted in partnership with the Lagos State Government. He also commended Edun’s role in advancing youth-focused reforms and supporting the Award programme.
Also present at the meeting were the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Sir Richard Montgomery; the Duke’s Private Secretary, Alex Potts; the Award’s Secretary-General, Martin Houghton-Brown; and International Trustee/Chair of the Africa Region, Muhoho Kenyatta.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a global non-formal education initiative designed to build skills, resilience, and civic responsibility among young people through schools, youth organisations, and community groups.
