Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has emphasized that the future of Nigerian youths does not rest in seeking opportunities abroad but in building a prosperous nation at home. He made this assertion on Friday while delivering the keynote address at a public lecture marking the 90th birthday of former head of state, Yakubu Gowon.
“We must become a global Nigeria, brimming with talents, skills, and entrepreneurship capacities that are powered by clear and consistent sustainable government policies to become globally competitive and to retain our young talents,” Adesina said.
While acknowledging the appeal of overseas opportunities, he argued that, “the future of Nigeria’s youth or that of Africa does not lie in Europe, America, China, or anywhere else.” Instead, he stressed that the future depends on Nigeria’s growth and the creation of opportunities at home.
Adesina highlighted efforts to create a better future for the nation’s youth, announcing the recent approval of $100 million by the AfDB for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank in Nigeria. This initiative, he explained, would provide business support to Nigerian youths through technical assistance, business incubation, and investments in equity.
“This signals a new day for Nigeria,” Adesina said, while also raising concerns about the country’s high poverty rate. Citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics, he pointed out that 63% of Nigeria’s population—over 133 million people—are multi-dimensionally poor, facing severe deprivations in areas such as sanitation, healthcare, food security, and housing.
Adesina’s comments were delivered to a distinguished audience, including former president Olusegun Obasanjo, governors, ministers, and other top dignitaries.
