Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Abuja, NigeriaÂ
In a groundbreaking development, 160 Nigerian youths have been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) for diverse projects across the nation. The announcement was made by Jamila Ibrahim, the Minister of Youth Development, during the unveiling of the grant recipients in Abuja on Monday.
Ibrahim highlighted the substantial increase in funds compared to the previous year, where $600,000 was disbursed to 130 recipients. This, she emphasized, underscores the growing dedication of stakeholders to youth empowerment and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s consistent emphasis on the pivotal role of Nigerian youth in driving the nation’s economy.
“The increase in this year’s grant symbolizes more than just numerical expansion,” remarked Ibrahim. “It serves as a tangible manifestation of the commitment to bridge the aspirations of our youth with the supportive policies and resources needed to bring those aspirations to life.”
Describing it as a bold move to catalyze transformative change, Ibrahim urged young citizens to actively shape the future of Nigeria. She asserted that the fund acts as a bridge between the ambitions of Nigerian youth and the resources required to turn those aspirations into reality.
However, Truth Live News gathered that the news has sparked public scrutiny, with Nigerians questioning the government’s transparency in not showcasing the beneficiaries. Many are expressing concerns about the lack of visibility of the actual recipients, emphasizing that a photograph with the minister and a detailed list of their businesses would have provided the transparency and accountability needed.