Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has unveiled a $10 billion financing plan for young entrepreneurs, saying Nigeria must create jobs rather than “teach people how to survive” as it grapples with a deepening cost‑of‑living crisis.
Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), announced the programme after meeting a nationwide delegation of beneficiaries of the federal N‑Power youth scheme who traveled to Abuja to pledge support for his campaign.
The plan, he said, would target startups and small enterprises as part of a broader effort to restore purchasing power and curb rising prices that have squeezed households and weakened small businesses.
“Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper,” Atiku said in brief remarks.
“We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $10 billion financing programme for start‑ups and entrepreneurs.”
Nigeria has experienced recurring inflationary pressure in recent years, which critics say has eroded wages and raised the cost of essentials such as food and fuel.
NewsQuest reports that the informal sector—where many young Nigerians work—has been particularly hard hit, with limited access to credit and formal job channels.
Atiku described the initiative as a shift from short‑term palliatives to structural measures that foster enterprise.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said.
The former vice president also described the N‑Power visit as evidence of a wider desire among youths for policies that promote sustainable growth and job creation.
“I thanked them for their confidence and reiterated that Nigeria cannot build its future by distributing poverty. We must build an economy that creates jobs, rewards enterprise and gives every young Nigerian a fair chance to succeed,” he said.
Atiku is however yet to detail the financing vehicle’s structure, sources of funds or timeline—questions that will likely draw scrutiny from investors and rivals ahead of next year’s vote.
“The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity,” Atiku said, adding: “We will make Nigeria affordable again,” the ADC presidential candidate added.
