Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to establish a $10 billion financing programme for young entrepreneurs and start-ups as part of a broader plan to tackle unemployment, restore purchasing power and reduce the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
The former vice president made the commitment on Saturday after receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to declare their support for his presidential ambition.
Speaking after the meeting, Atiku said Nigerian youths deserve a government that creates opportunities for prosperity rather than one that merely teaches them how to cope with economic hardship.
According to him, the worsening cost-of-living crisis has eroded the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and pushed many young people further away from employment, access to capital, and economic independence.
“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.”
He said his administration, if elected, would focus on rebuilding the economy by restoring purchasing power, lowering the cost of living and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
“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.”
Atiku explained that the proposed initiative is designed to empower youths by supporting entrepreneurship and productive ventures across the country.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity.”
The former vice president said the visit by the N-Power beneficiaries underscored the desire of many young Nigerians for policies that promote sustainable economic growth and job creation.
“It was against this background that I was pleased to receive, this afternoon, a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who came to declare their support for my presidential candidacy.”
He expressed appreciation to the delegation for their support and maintained that Nigeria’s future depends on creating an economy that rewards innovation, enterprise and hard work.
“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.”
Atiku further urged Nigerians to support policies that would expand economic opportunities and restore confidence in the country’s future.
“The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity.”
Reaffirming his economic agenda, the former vice president concluded:
“We will make Nigeria affordable again.”
