The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said that reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration are helping to create new opportunities for young Nigerians and improving the country’s economic landscape.
Gatekeepers News reports that Idris made the remarks on Saturday while giving the 2026 convocation lecture at the 34th graduation ceremony of the Federal University of Technology, Minna in Niger State.
The lecture was delivered under the theme “Youth and Nation Building: Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms.”
In his address to graduands, the minister described Nigeria as a largely youthful nation, noting that a significant portion of the population is under the age of 35 and that the future of the country depends on how well young people are educated, skilled, and prepared for the evolving global economy.
He stressed that meaningful reforms are needed for national growth and warned against repeating past mistakes if Nigeria hopes to thrive.
Idris highlighted key policy changes made by the federal government aimed at strengthening the economy and governance structures. These include the removal of petrol subsidy, unification of foreign exchange rates, and updates to tax legislation designed to foster transparency and fairness in the system.
He clarified that the intention behind changes in taxation was to simplify the process and make it equitable, rather than to burden citizens.
He also pointed out that the reforms have begun to attract renewed investor confidence in areas such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy, and the creative industries, which he said are sectors with high potential for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
According to the minister, young Nigerians stand to benefit the most from these emerging opportunities as the economy adjusts to new policies and market realities.
Idris further drew attention to initiatives like the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he described as evidence that the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is producing tangible outcomes for citizens, particularly students.
He encouraged the graduating students to see themselves as active contributors to national development, urging them to start building their careers and communities immediately rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
He reminded them that personal progress contributes to nation-building and that opportunities exist now for them to make meaningful impacts on society and the economy.
