Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has promised to introduce a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected president in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the pledge in a statement shared on his X handle, saying young Nigerians need a government that creates opportunities for economic prosperity rather than one that focuses on helping citizens cope with hardship.
He said the rising cost of living had eroded the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it increasingly difficult for young people to secure jobs, access capital and achieve 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,” Atiku said.
He pledged that his administration would prioritise restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
“My commitment is to change that. We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs,” he said.
According to the former vice president, the initiative would be aimed at moving young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise and from unemployment to productive economic activity.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he added.
Atiku said he made the commitment while receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to declare their support for his presidential ambition.
He thanked the delegation for their confidence and argued that Nigeria could not achieve sustainable development through the distribution of palliatives.
“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,” he said.
Atiku, who is seeking to become president in 2027, said Nigerians would ultimately have to choose between maintaining what he described as an economy that limits opportunities and building one capable of restoring hope, dignity and prosperity.
“The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity. We will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.
