We aim to achieve 70 percent national digital literacy by 2027-Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, flagged off a two -day Youth Leadership Conference, urging youths to engage in leadership and national development.
The strategic conference, put together by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, FMYD, in conjunction with the National Defence College, NDC, aiming to build a foundation for sustainable strategic leadership.
Themed: ‘Youth and Leadership: building a foundation for sustainable strategic leadership,’ The President, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, highlights significance of youth engagement in leadership and national development, stressing the need to shape the character and creativity of the youth.
He said: “This is a bold step towards shaping leadership framework of the country, focusing on development strategy, inclusive ethics, and sustainable leadership.
“The future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its young people, who possess energy, creativity, and courage, as energy without direction and potential without preparation can lead to frustration, making the conference timely and critical.
“The conference aims to build values of service, accountability, innovation, and national building in the next generation. Youth development is central to the transformation strategies of the administration, with a focus on building a new generation of informed, inspired, and empowered leaders.”
He also, outlined strategies for youth development under the renewable agenda, including the Nigerian Youth Academy and the National Learning Platform saying: “The Nigerian Youth Academy targets 7 million young Nigerians with digital and professional skills, aiming to create millions of job opportunities.
The 3 million technical talent, TT, program focuses on advancing digital skills such as Artificial Intelligence, AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
“The administration aims to achieve 70% national digital literacy by 2027, to ensure effective youth participation in the global digital economy.”
President Tinubu further stressed other additional youth programmes and development to include labor employment and employment program, which he stated, targets 2.25 million jobs through enterprise trainings and employment matching.
“The student loan scheme aims to reduce non-school activities, focusing on education and career development. The Nigerian Youth Fellowship and the US initiative aim to develop youth leaders in all 774 Local Government Areas in the country, to strengthen primary health and public health awareness.
“The youth agricultural scheme empowers over 100,000 youth as entrepreneurs to ensure food security and achieve rural development goals,” noting that the administration, “partners with FDB in a 1 million youth entrepreneurship growth scheme to support productive friendships and connections, urging participants to extend the leadership knowledge, “gained from the conference to their communities, schools, workplaces, and digital spaces.
“The administration believes in a Nigeria, where every young person has the opportunity to lead and contribute to national development,” he added, declaring the conference open, wishing participants productive deliberations and outcomes.
In his key note address, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Rep Useni Mohammed Jalo, expressed honour in joining assembly of leaders and young people to discuss future leadership strategies for Nigeria.
He said “The Strategic Youth Leadership Conference is highlighted as crucial for nurturing and preparing young people for leadership roles,” emphasizing urgency of investing in youth to meet demands of nation-building.
“The Importance of Youth Leadership, repositioning youth for strategic leadership and national empowerment in Nigeria is apt. The necessity of preparing the next generation for leadership roles is underscored, given that over 60% of Nigeria’s population is youth.
“Leadership requires more than just good intentions; it demands deliberate investment in education and civic institutions. The importance of mentorship, exposure, and responsibility in maintaining and building leadership can not be over emphasized.”
He called for youths, to be integrated into leadership pipeline, including understanding governance, contributing to policy-making, and testing their abilities.
“The renewable agenda of the association is emphasized as a high priority for youth development. The agenda ensures that youth participation, job creation, and educational advancement are treated as structural issues,” he said.
In his welcome address, Commandant of the Defence College, Rear Admiral JO Okosun highlighted, significant military training institution in Nigeria, emphasizing its role in gathering national leaders and thinkers.
“The presence of esteemed guests, including the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic and State Governors, is noted, underscoring their critical role in capacity building for youth.
“The conference is described as a deliberate national investment, aligned with the President’s renewable agenda, focusing on youth development and national transformation. The conference aims to equip young Nigerians with strategic thinking and leadership tools to become proactive agents of national security.
“Participants are encouraged to share experiences and learn from each other, fostering collaboration and strategic leadership. The conference is presented as a comprehensive and integrated approach to national security, requiring collective effort and collaboration.”
In his contributions, the Minister of Youths, represented by Mohammed Abdullahi emphasizes the collaboration between the Ministry, of New Development, and the National Defense Committee in hosting the conference, outlining core values of the conference, which includes, creativity, innovation, discipline, and courage.
“The collaboration between the ministry and the National Defense College is presented as a strategic decision to foster these values among participants.
The conference aims to provide a platform for young leaders to address the challenges facing the nation and seize the opportunities available,” he said.
Amongst Dignitaries who delivered goodwill messages includes, the Governor of Borno State, Prof Babagana Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Informations in the State, Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal Dare, former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, represented, the Chief of Defense Staff and other government functionaries.
