Atiku Woos N-Power Beneficiaries, Pledges $10bn Financing Programme for Youths

 

By Abdullahi Ahmed 

Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to introduce a $10 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected President in 2027.

Atiku made the pledge while receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to declare their support for his presidential ambition.

The former Vice-President said Nigerian youths needed an economy that created opportunities for prosperity rather than a government focused on teaching citizens how to cope with economic hardship.

He argued that the current cost-of-living crisis had eroded the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it increasingly difficult for young people to secure employment, access capital and achieve economic independence.

According to Atiku, his administration would prioritise restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and deliberately expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

“My commitment is to change that,” he said, outlining his proposed economic agenda.

Atiku said the planned $10 billion financing programme would support start-ups and entrepreneurs, with the broader objective of moving young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise and from unemployment to productivity.

“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said.

The ADC candidate said his interaction with the N-Power beneficiaries reinforced his belief that Nigeria’s future depended on creating sustainable economic opportunities for its young population.

He thanked the delegation for their support and reiterated that the country could not achieve meaningful development by merely distributing 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,” Atiku stated.

He said the 2027 election would offer Nigerians a choice between maintaining an economic trajectory that, in his assessment, was shrinking opportunities and pursuing policies designed to restore hope, dignity and prosperity.

Atiku further pledged to make Nigeria more affordable and create an economic environment where young Nigerians could build sustainable livelihoods.

“We will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.

The former Vice-President’s latest promise comes as political parties and presidential aspirants intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with economic hardship, unemployment, youth empowerment and the cost of living expected to feature prominently in the campaigns.