Featured, Politics
By Wealth Ufford
THREE years after President Bola Tinubu assumed office with his promise of Renewed Hope Agenda, including the long list of promises and programmes that may hopefully dissuade Nigerian youths from leaving the country for more promising opportunities in Asia, Europe and North America, However, the verdict on his administration’s performance, especially in delivering his promises to this young population is still unfolding.
For millions of young Nigerians, the past three years had been marked by series of opportunities and hardships for them. While the government points to initiatives such as the students loan scheme, digital skills programmes and expanded vocational training as evidence of progress, many young Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs, unemployment and concerns about the quality and accessibility of education.
As the administration marks its third year in office, there are issues about how far the youth and education policies have translated from campaign promises to tangible results.
In his manifesto, President Bola Tinubu outlined a broad range of commitments aimed at improving the welfare of young Nigerians and strengthening the education sector.
On youth development and employment, he promised to reduce the youth unemployment rate by half within four years through policies designed to stimulate entrepreneurship, job creation and skills development.
He also promised to work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to create incentives that will encourage commercial banks to provide low-cost loans to youth-led enterprises, while also simplifying loan application processes and prioritising young people with viable and marketable business ideas.
The government owned and affiliated financial institutions were also expected to establish similar funding schemes to support young entrepreneurs. To complement these efforts, Tinubu proposed a nationwide mentoring initiative involving two million volunteer entrepreneurs and professionals who would help young people secure employment, develop workplace skills and build sustainable businesses.
The manifesto also places significant emphasis on greater youth inclusion in governance and public administration.
Tinubu also proposed reserving at least three cabinet positions for persons under the age of 40 and six additional positions for individuals under the age of 50 while a presidential directive requiring that at least 20 per cent of political appointments in Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, be allocated to qualified Nigerians below the age of 40.
In addition, he proposed the establishment of a Presidential Fellowship Scheme that will provide talented and determined young Nigerians with opportunities to gain first-hand experience in governance and politics, thereby preparing a new generation of leaders for public service.
On education, Tinubu promised comprehensive reforms aimed at improving access, quality and outcomes across the sector.
The administration also pledged to address challenges in the education system by ensuring an adequate supply of qualified and capable teachers, creating safer and more conducive learning environments, and implementing measures to improve learning outcomes nationwide.
The manifesto also outlined the introduction of a pilot student loan programme to expand access to higher education for Nigerians regardless of their socioeconomic backgrounds.
To support tertiary institutions, the administration promised new legislation that would create a special funding mechanism based on zero-coupon federal bonds. These bonds would be sold in tranches to private investors or purchased through market-clearing exercises by the CBN, providing universities with additional funding while helping to minimise tuition cost increases for students.
Furthermore, students who choose and excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, STEM, disciplines were promised priority access to scholarships, internships, postgraduate admissions and employment opportunities, reflecting the administration’s intention to build a workforce capable of driving innovation and economic growth.
To translate these commitments into action, the Tinubu administration introduced a number of interventions aimed at improving access to education, expanding skills development and preparing young Nigerians for emerging economic opportunities.
One of the administration’s major education reforms has been the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, NELFUND. The Student Loan Act was signed into law on June 12, 2023, paving the way for the creation of NELFUND, with the objective of providing interest-free loans to students seeking higher education. The scheme was designed to remove financial barriers that prevent many Nigerians from accessing tertiary education.
According to NELFUND, the initiative has supported over one million Nigerian students, disbursed over ₦180 billion in loans and partnered with over 300 higher institutions across the country. The federal government has described the scheme as a major step towards ensuring that no qualified student is denied education because of financial constraints.
Beyond formal education, the administration has also focused on equipping young Nigerians with skills that align with the demands of the modern economy through the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. The programme was introduced to build a large pool of skilled technology professionals, create employment opportunities and position Nigeria as a global exporter of digital talent.
Implemented through strategic partnerships with organisations such as Microsoft, MTN and IHS, the programme provides access to certifications, training resources and learning communities designed to support participants in developing high-demand technology skills. The first phase commenced in December 2023, with 30,000 fellows selected across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Similarly, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training, TVET, initiative represents another major component of the government’s youth empowerment strategy. The programme, led by the Federal Ministry of Education, focuses on providing young Nigerians with practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship, particularly in sectors where skilled workers are in demand.
Through partnerships with certified training centres nationwide, the initiative provides tuition-free training, monthly stipends and start-up support for beneficiaries learning various trades.
The government data indicates that over 150,000 trainees are currently undergoing training across the country, with over 1,600 accredited training centres involved and over 4,000 instructors trained in modern teaching methods and industry-relevant skills.
Despite these interventions and the figures highlighted by the government, the broader question remains whether these initiatives are translating into meaningful improvements in the lives of young Nigerians.
These initiatives have faced several challenges and have been criticised as a result.
Under NELFUND, the scheme has faced concerns around implementation, accountability and sustainability.
Allegations of unauthorized deductions and unremitted funds by some tertiary institutions led to investigations by the ICPC, raising questions about transparency in the management of the student loan funds.
There are also concerns about the repayment structure as graduates are expected to repay 10 per cent of their earnings once they secure formal employment, a condition critics argue could be challenging in a country facing high unemployment and economic uncertainty.
Additionally, delays in institutional verification and application processes have affected the timely disbursement of tuition and upkeep allowances for some students.
Beyond these immediate challenges, questions remain over whether NELFUND can maintain consistent funding in the long term and continue supporting students without relying solely on recoveries from the beneficiaries of the fund.
The 3MTT programme has faced questions over its ability to convert training opportunities into actual employment outcomes.
Critics argue that acquiring technical knowledge does not automatically translate to jobs or income, especially in an economy where many graduates struggle to secure remote opportunities or full-time roles without strong job placement support.
Some fellows have also raised concerns about infrastructure limitations, including unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity and inadequate access to functional computers needed for practical training.
In addition, some training providers have expressed concerns over delayed and insufficient funding, arguing that limited resources could affect the quality of training delivered and the ability of centres to provide effective learning environments.
The TVET programme faces challenges that could affect its ability to achieve its employment and entrepreneurship goals.
One major concern is the gap between skills acquisition and access to sustainable opportunities, as many graduates may still struggle to secure jobs or the capital needed to start businesses after training. There are also concerns about the availability of modern equipment and facilities in some training centres, which could limit the quality of practical learning.
In addition, differences in the capacity and standards of training centres across the country raise questions about consistency in the quality of skills being delivered to beneficiaries.
The scale remains one of the biggest challenges surrounding the programmes.
Nigeria has one of the world’s largest youth populations and millions of young people require access to education, skills training and employment opportunities. While initiatives like NELFUND have expanded access to over a million students and received significant participation, the number of beneficiaries is still only a fraction of the wider population of young Nigerians facing economic challenges.
The challenge, therefore, is not only launching programmes, but ensuring they reach enough people to create nationwide impact.
Three years into the Renewed Hope administration, Tinubu’s record on youth development and education presents a mixed picture of ambition, implementation and unresolved challenges.
The initiatives such as NELFUND, 3MTT and the expansion of technical and vocational education suggest a shift towards improving access to education and equipping young Nigerians with practical and digital skills. Government figures point to growing participation and expanding reach across these programmes.
However, questions remain about whether these interventions are addressing the deeper structural issues affecting young Nigerians or providing temporary relief.
The concerns around transparency, sustainability, infrastructure, access to opportunities and the connection between training and employment continue to shape public debate.
Ultimately, the lasting measure of these policies may not be the number of beneficiaries recorded or programmes launched, but whether they lead to improved educational outcomes, sustainable jobs and meaningful opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.
W.U
June 15, 2026
Tags: Central Bank of Nigeria President Bola Tinubu