Youths must be patient to enjoy Tinubu’s reform policy, says City Boy DG

Oluwatosin Shoga, director-general of the City Boy Movement, says President Bola Tinubu is reshaping Nigeria’s economy to secure the future of young people.

Shoga spoke on Saturday at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the group in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

He said the ongoing economic reforms were carefully designed to benefit future generations, but would require young people to be patient.

According to him, several presidential initiatives are already being implemented across ministries, departments and agencies.

Shoga expressed concern that many young Nigerians remain unaware of government programmes designed to ease reform impacts, which are structured to transform the nation and livelihoods.

“The Skill-Up Artisans Programme is changing lives,” he said.

“The Nigerian Youth Academy is building tomorrow’s leaders, with the National Youth Talent Export Programme taking our skills to the world market.

“I am saying this with all seriousness — this administration does not just talk about youth empowerment — President Tinubu is doing it.”

He asked young Nigerians, particularly those in Imo, to take full advantage of the opportunities being made available through the MDAs and their state governments.

The DG also listed some of the interventions, including the Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, from which N60 billion has been disbursed through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the Agricultural Investment and SME scheme.

He said that the president’s initiatives demonstrate a firm belief in the capacity of youths to boost the economy, highlighting a loan programme already aiding hundreds in institutions.

Shoga noted that Tinubu approved N50 billion as earned allowance to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), describing it as a step towards curbing incessant strikes in higher institutions.

He added that another N50 billion each has been allocated to the Student Loan and Credit Corporation, partly funded from proceeds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Shoga also encouraged them to join the renewed hope agenda and be part of the City Boy Movement, adding that young people are the engine room of any thriving society.

In his remarks, Goodluck Nwaneri, Imo state director of the movement, commended Tinubu for repositioning the country for collective benefit.

Nwaneri said the president has shown commitment to involving the youth in national development.

According to him, Tinubu’s policies have created visible avenues for empowerment and self-development.

“I can tell you that when all of us look at the government of Imo state and the government of Nigeria today, if we are honest with ourselves, and do a proper fact check, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has done well for our society,” he said.

“He has been the president that has carried all the youth along. You can see massive youth empowerment going on in Nigeria.”

Magnus Okorie, councillor for Owerre Ebeiri ward in Orlu LGA, appreciated Tinubu for the youth-friendly policies.

He appealed to state governors to ensure that federal programmes reach people at the grassroots.

The event also featured the inauguration of the group’s state working committee in Imo.