In a bid to tackle youth unemployment and promote financial inclusion, the Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Investonaire Academy to train 100,000 young Nigerians annually in foreign exchange (forex) trading.
The agreement was formalised at a ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, described the partnership as a bold and strategic move to empower Nigerian youths with practical skills to enable their active participation in the global financial market.
According to Olawande, the training programme will cover forex trading, risk management, and financial planning, with the overarching goal of fostering financial independence among young Nigerians.
“This partnership reflects our strategic vision for sustainable youth development,” he stated.
Olawande stressed that the initiative goes beyond technical instruction. “We are teaching our youth to think critically, embrace digital competencies, and seize global opportunities to create wealth and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy,” he said.
In light of prevailing economic uncertainties, the Minister underscored the importance of equipping young people with entrepreneurial skills to build resilience and self-sufficiency.
“This MoU is not just a formality; it is a commitment to action. We will ensure transparent and measurable outcomes that make a real difference in the lives of young Nigerians,” he added.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to implementing the programme with transparency and excellence, emphasising its potential to position Nigerian youths as active players in the global economy.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Enefola Odiba, International Programme Director at Investonaire Academy, expressed optimism about the partnership’s impact. He acknowledged the socio-economic challenges facing Nigerian youths and emphasised the crucial role of financial literacy and digital skills in overcoming them.
“Youth is the backbone of any nation. When empowered, they become catalysts for innovation and growth,” Odiba said.
He added that the initiative is designed to bridge the skills gap and unlock the vast potential of Nigerian youths, in alignment with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of digital inclusion, economic diversification, and innovative skills development.
