As President Bola Tinubu’s administration marked its second anniversary on Thursday, May 29, young Nigerians have called for renewed focus on their economic and political empowerment.
The demand came during the 2025 Channels Youth Forum, held under the theme “Pressing Issues Affecting Nigeria’s Youth.” The forum brought together young participants from across the country, government officials, and industry experts to discuss pressing concerns facing Nigeria’s youth population.
Top on the agenda were issues such as access to quality education, affordable healthcare, support for the creative industry, and the growth of youth-led businesses.
Key government representatives on the panel included the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; and the Minister of State for Industry, John Enoh. They provided insights into various government initiatives aimed at addressing youth-related challenges.
In a notable contribution, Minister Bosun Tijani emphasized the need for young Nigerians to embrace digital innovation, especially artificial intelligence (AI), to position themselves competitively in the global economy.
“You live in an era of artificial intelligence. Don’t wait for permission to succeed. Go into your ChatGPT or any generative AI tool of your choice,” Tijani advised. “Don’t listen to naysayers or doubt whether this government serves you. The future is now—and it’s digital.”
He added that without the right policy frameworks, local manufacturers would struggle to compete with foreign producers, underscoring the importance of strategic government support for indigenous industries.
The forum concluded with a renewed call from Nigerian youth for the Tinubu administration to deepen its investment in youth-centered policies and deliver on its promises to foster inclusive development and innovation-driven growth.
With reports from Channels TV