2027: Nigerian Youths Endorse Tinubu, Demand More Opportunities

Nigerian youths have endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, citing reforms and programmes of his administration in education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, security and inclusion.

The endorsement was announced on Wednesday at the 26th International Youth Day celebration in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) under the theme, “The Role of Nigerian Youths in Consolidating the Gains of Democracy.”

Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, said the endorsement reflected growing confidence in the administration’s policies and programmes.

According to him, the decision was “not without evidence,” pointing to initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Youth Academy and programmes of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

He said the initiatives were expanding access to education, developing digital skills and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to participate in the emerging digital economy.

Abba Isa also highlighted the administration’s economic reforms, saying they were intended to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians to develop businesses, create jobs and build sustainable livelihoods.

On security, he said the administration had demonstrated commitment to addressing the country’s security challenges, while measures to improve the welfare and remuneration of members of the armed forces showed appreciation for personnel protecting the nation.

He further drew attention to the administration’s disability inclusion agenda, stressing that youth development could not be meaningful if young persons with disabilities were excluded.

According to him, the administration has demonstrated what he described as a strong commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities through empowerment programmes, skills development, social investment and deliberate inclusion in government policies.

“For us in the disability community, this is a significant departure from the past,” Abba Isa said.

He urged young Nigerians to recognise that democracy goes beyond voting, stressing the importance of participation, accountability, responsibility and collective action in shaping the country’s future.

The NYO, in its address, said its endorsement of Tinubu was based on the need for continuity, arguing that sustained implementation would enable ongoing reforms to mature and deliver greater impact.

However, the organisation attached conditions to its support, calling for stronger measures to address youth unemployment, increased investment in education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and greater opportunities in the digital and creative economies.

It also demanded improved security and a stronger role for young people in governance, including greater access to leadership positions at the local, state and federal levels.

The organisation urged youths to reject political violence, thuggery, hate speech and electoral malpractice, advocating issue-based politics and peaceful democratic participation.

It also called on young Nigerians across the country to reject ethnic hatred, religious intolerance and political extremism, stressing that Nigeria’s diversity should be viewed as a source of strength.

The group reaffirmed its support for Tinubu ’s 2027 presidential bid while urging the administration to continue placing Nigerian youths at the centre of its development agenda.