Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has charged Nigerian youths to take advantage of ongoing national reforms, describing them as vital pathways for personal advancement and sustainable nation-building.
The Information Minister made the charge while delivering the 2026 Convocation Lecture at the 34th Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State. The lecture was titled “Youth and Nation Building: Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms.”
Idris stressed that President Tinubu’s introduction of the reforms was not to bring hardship to Nigerians, but to create and expand opportunities and pathways for Progress.
He urged them to embrace the reforms for self and national development.
“What the President’s reforms are doing is creating massive waves of opportunity in every sector you can think of. And young Nigerians are emerging among the biggest beneficiaries of this new array of opportunities opening up in this era of national reforms.
“These opportunities must be recognised and taken advantage of by those seeking to benefit from them.Opportunities do not automatically transform lives unless they are sought, seized, and harnessed. They are merely potential in raw form, and of little use if left untapped”, he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s strength lies in its youthful population, stressing that the country’s future would be shaped by how well young people are educated, skilled and productively engaged.
“With a large percentage of the population under 35, Nigeria has a demographic advantage that can translate into global competitiveness if properly harnessed. With the right education, skills and preparation for the rapidly changing workplaces of the 21st century, Nigeria will be an unstoppable global force,” Idris said.
According to the Minister, reforms were intentional efforts to reset the nation’s economic and governance systems, adding that meaningful nation-building is impossible without reform.
He noted that the policies such as the removal of petrol subsidy, foreign exchange unification and new tax laws were designed to correct long-standing distortions and build a more transparent and efficient economy.
“The goal was never to take more from Nigerians. It was to simplify taxation, make it fairer and unlock resources for development and investment And we must not lose sight of the ultimate objective: more resources for federal, state, and local governments to invest in infrastructure, services, and social programmes”, he noted.
Key Sector Opportunities
The Minister emphasised that the reforms are already boosting investor confidence and opening up opportunities in key sectors including technology, agriculture, renewable energy and the creative economy, with young Nigerians expected to be the major beneficiaries.
He also highlighted government-backed initiatives such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which he said has supported hundreds of thousands of students, as evidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda is producing tangible results.
Idris described the programme as proof that government commitments to education and youth development are practical and impactful.
The Minister further urged the graduating students to see themselves as active contributors to national development, encouraging them to continuously build their skills, embrace lifelong learning and consider public service as a channel for making meaningful impact.
“You can build from where you are, with what you have, young Nigerians do not need wealth or influence before contributing to national progress. One phase is ending, but another is just beginning. It is time to transition from the relatively sheltered environment of the university campus into the wider world beyond. To make the future count, you must be deliberate about your next steps”, he added
Also speaking the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Niger State, Professor Abdallah Adamu Kuta, said the topic was apt, owing to the efforts been made by the current administration to reposition Nigeria.
“The title of today’s lecture is Youth and Nation Building, Navigating Opportunities in an Era of National Reforms. you will agree with me that the title of this lecture is apt and timely. This is because the lecture is taking place at the time the federal government of Nigeria is working hard to ensure that the citizens of this country enjoy better living conditions”, he said
The event was attended by Niger State Governor’s representative and Commissioner for Information, Mr Obet Nana, the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba- Ndace, Senator Peter Nda Alkali, representing Niger South Senatorial Zone; and a former Minister of Sports, Sani Ndanusa, among others.