Presidential media aide, Femi Adesina has declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has always had Nigerian youths in mind and will continue to make them a priority in his administration’s policies.
Adesina made this view known in an article he titled, ‘Lest we forget: Opportunities for young Nigerians by the Buhari administration,” where he listed 16 schemes the President initiated for the youths.
He noted that President Buhari within five years of his administration has demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the welfare of Nigerian youths and would continue to put them first in his policies.
Some of the initiatives listed by Adesina include N-Power programme, increased NYSC monthly allowance, the 75 billion Naira Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, the Special Public Works Programme, the $20 million Fund for Nigerian Tech Innovators and Entrepreneurs, etc.
According to him, “N-Power: 500,000 enrolled in 2 batches between 2016 and 2020 receiving 30,000 monthly, with enrollment of the 3rd batch of 400,000 in progress.
“NYSC Monthly Allowance increased from N19,600 to N33,000; more than 300,000 beneficiaries monthly.
“75 billion Naira Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), for businesses owned by young Nigerians aged between 18 and 35.
“Special Public Works Programme to provide 3-month employment to 774,000 young Nigerians across the country (1,000 beneficiaries per LGA).
“$20 million Fund for Nigerian Tech Innovators and Entrepreneurs, managed by BOI.”
Others are the National Young Farmers Scheme and the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS), Creative Industries Financing Initiative (CIFI); DEEL – D – Digital Skills E – Entrepreneurship E – Employability L – Leadership.
Also in his list are the NESP-Homes, the 5M Solar Connections Programme, the Energizing Education Programme, EEP, the Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES), the Annual National MSME Awards, the National Survival Fund, and the 52% of loans disbursed by the FG-owned Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) in 2019 to youths and women-owned businesses.
