About 160 youths have received $1.2 million grant from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) for various projects across the country.
The Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, said the funds represented a significant increase from the previous year’s disbursement of $600,000 to 130 recipients, noting that this demonstrated the growing commitment of the stakeholders to youth empowerment.
She spoke at the unveiling of beneficiaries of the grant in Abuja yesterday.
The event was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
She said President Bola Tinubu has consistently emphasised the importance of the Nigerian youth in driving the nation’s economy.
“This fund serves as a tangible manifestation of that commitment, a bridge between the aspirations of our youth and the supportive policies and resources needed to bring those aspirations to life,” the minister said.
She said the increase in this year’s grant symbolised more than just numerical expansion.
“This is a bold move to catalyse a wave of change, encouraging our young citizens to play active roles in shaping the Nigeria we envision,” she said.
The minister added that the fund served to bridge the gap between the ambitions of Nigerian youths and the resources needed to make them a reality.
She noted: “We believe in your power to innovate, lead, and drive the progress we all aspire to witness.”
Kalu emphasised the transformative power of youth agency, noting that the NYFF was not merely a financial aid but a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future.
He said: “We are not simply distributing funds; we are sowing the seeds of a new era. An era where the voices of young Nigerians are amplified, their energies harnessed, and their dreams realised.”
He further highlighted the NYFF’s commitment to empowering Nigerian youth, aligning with the vision of a Nigeria where young people are active participants in societal change.
Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni explained that the NYFF was a collaborative initiative aimed at strengthening youth leadership in Nigeria.
She emphasised the fund’s long-term goal, saying: “The Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) is a five-year collaborative initiative implemented by LEAP Africa and funded by MacArthur Foundation, and Ford Foundation with the goal of strengthening youth leadership in Nigeria.
“The goal of the initiative is to strengthen, support, and enable young people in Nigeria for youth leadership, activism, and social change.”
Other speakers at the event made calls to action for the Nigerian youth to seize the mantle of leadership and actively participate in shaping the country’s future.
They collectively expressed confidence that the increased grant allocation would spur innovation and progress, ultimately leading to the realisation of a brighter future for Nigeria.
