Tinubu: Nigeria's Youth Are Key to Economic Growth

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu asserted that Nigeria's youth population remains the country's most significant asset during a meeting with a delegation from Mastercard led by CEO Michael Miebach at the State House in Abuja. Tinubu described the youth as tech-savvy and capable of fully integrating into the global economy.

He welcomed Mastercard's proposal to train five million Nigerian small businesses in digital skills. The President emphasized the need for ongoing reforms to empower young people and support small businesses with digital tools.

He noted the importance of formalizing Nigeria's large informal small business sector to create new pathways for digital transition and investment. Tinubu urged Mastercard to deepen its partnership with Nigerian institutions, particularly in the banking industry, to enhance financial inclusion.

Miebach highlighted Mastercard's commitment to Nigeria, mentioning the company's establishment in the country in 2011 and its focus on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a primary target for future investments.