The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized that President Bola Tinubu’s youth empowerment initiatives are designed to benefit all young Nigerians, rather than being limited to members of any political party.

Idris made the clarification on Tuesday in Abuja during an interactive session with youths from the APC Youth Wing and tertiary institutions across the Federal Capital Territory. The discussion, which allowed for open dialogue, was moderated by APC National Youth Leader, Dr. Dayo Israel.

The minister explained that the youth-focused programmes of the Tinubu administration are deliberately structured to be inclusive, accessible, and impactful, regardless of political affiliation.

“NELFUND is for Nigerians; it is not for APC. The 3MTT is for Nigerians; it is not for APC,” Idris said. “Everything the President is doing is aimed at restoring prosperity, dignity, and hope so that young people can reach their full potential and have renewed confidence in the country.”

Idris revealed that over 788,000 students are currently benefiting from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), with more than N250 billion allocated to tuition support and student welfare across tertiary institutions nationwide.

He also highlighted the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Programme, a flagship digital skills initiative launched by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The programme aims to train three million Nigerians in high-demand technical and digital skills to enhance employability and competitiveness in the global digital economy.

“What excites me most is that even those skeptical about these programmes are enrolling, including participants from other political parties,” Idris noted. “This shows that the initiatives are effectively reaching Nigerians as intended.”

The minister described the Tinubu administration as one of the most youth-focused in Nigeria’s history, citing both large-scale empowerment programmes and the deliberate inclusion of young people in strategic leadership positions.

“Young people must trust this administration,” he said. “This government has invested in your future, continues to engage you, and is creating meaningful opportunities.”

On the economy, Idris highlighted that the President’s reforms are beginning to yield results, pointing to a steady reduction in food prices and declining inflation as signs of recovery. “Inflation is coming down,” he said. “The President projected 15 percent, and we are now at 14.45 percent. These are the results of deliberate policy measures.”

He also noted that Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list is a major milestone, expected to strengthen financial system integrity, boost investor confidence, and improve access to global financial markets.

Idris urged young Nigerians to support the administration’s efforts in building sustainable national prosperity and to use social media responsibly by sharing verified information and countering misinformation.

“Social media is a powerful development tool, but it can also harm society,” he warned. “Always verify information before sharing it.”

He reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda remains focused on youth empowerment, inclusion, and national renewal, stressing that the future being built belongs to all Nigerians.