President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will strongly support public-private partnerships (PPPs) to create dignified work and employment opportunities for Nigerian youths.
A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, said the President spoke at a meeting with the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mastercard Foundation, Ms. Reeta Roy, at the State House in Abuja.
The President also assured the Mastercard Foundation CEO that Nigerian youths are vibrant, talented, eager to learn, and ready to compete globally.
The President praised Mastercard Foundation’s initiative to create 10 million jobs for young Nigerians, saying the programme aligned with his Renewed Hope Agenda for economic development and job creation.
“We believe in what you are doing. We are determined to run an inclusive government and change the dynamics and perception of this country. Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and, as such, must take its leadership of this continent very seriously.
“We must give hope and assurance to our teeming youth population. God has blessed Nigeria with a vibrant youth population, ready to learn, and capable of competing in the global economy of the 21st century. Leadership is what is necessary.
“The incubation is growing, and we are earning a good reputation, and we will continue to do that across sectors of the economy in order to achieve sustainable growth,” the President said.
President Tinubu also welcomed Mastercard Foundation’s emphasis on digitisation, recognising the role of technology as a potent and indispensable tool against corruption.
“We are ready to work with you and remove all impediments, and we have assembled a great team to work with you. The hope of the youth must be built on a solid foundation of sustainable growth and prosperity. We are working with other partners and we assure you of our robust and focused collaboration,” he said.
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The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, acknowledged the wide-reaching impact of the Mastercard Foundation across Africa and its proven capacity to change the fortunes of human capital development in Nigeria.
“This is an institution that holds assets worth more than $40 billion and they are prudent in ensuring that their resources are applied digitally and in a way that reaches their target beneficiaries directly.
“Mr. President’s strong commitment to reforming social intervention and health service delivery in Nigeria will be greatly boosted through this partnership,” Pate said.
Ms. Roy told President Tinubu that the foundation’s focus on education and financial inclusion in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, aimed at impacting 30 million young Africans by 2030.
She reported the progress already made on the foundation’s 10 million target for Nigeria, saying 2.1 million young people trained under the ‘Young Africa Work Strategy’ were engaged in dignified work.
“We are still on a journey and have more work to do. We are excited about looking at a whole new frontier, and that is in the healthcare sector.
“While we may not historically be a health organisation or health foundation, we are looking at that sector as part of a vibrant economic landscape ripe with opportunities for young people and our focus will be on workforce development,” she said.