Strategic investment in youths key to Nigeria’s $1trn economy- Entrepreneur
By Taiye Olayemi
Mr Sunny Akhigbe, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, has called for strategic investment in Nigerian youths as a critical pathway to unlocking the nation’s ambition of becoming a one-trillion dollar economy.
Akhigbe, founder of “A Boy and His Dream Foundation”, made the call during a media parley in Lagos.
The U.S.- based entrepreneur stated that Nigeria’s youth population remains the country’s most valuable economic asset.
He emphasised that for Nigeria to achieve its one- trillion dollar target, youths, with a special focus on women and children, must be nurtured through appropriate education, entrepreneurship, and mentorship.
He stressed that without a deliberate commitment to developing the potential of young Nigerians, especially women and children, the country’s economic aspirations may remain unattainable.
“Nigeria cannot grow into a trillion-dollar economy without investing in the people who will build it. That means prioritising our youths, especially women and children,” Akhigbe asserted.
Akhigbe urged Nigerian youths to take active responsibility in helping the Federal Government achieve its one trillion dollar economy target by developing their talents and using them to create sustainable wealth.
He highlighted that Nigeria’s economic transformation depends largely on the creative energy, resilience, and innovation of its young population, noting that these individuals must take ownership of their future and become productive contributors to national development.
“The road to a trillion-dollar economy begins with every Nigerian youth realising the value of their talent and transforming that talent into enterprise.
“We cannot wait for the government alone. The youth must step up through entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and skill development. This will help the nation to achieve the coveted one-trillion dollar economy,” he said.
Through his foundation, Akhigbe stated he had impacted thousands of young people across Nigeria and U.S. with scholarship programmes, microenterprise support, and mentorship initiatives aimed at building leadership and self-reliance.
“We have empowered young people with skills and seed funding to start businesses in Lagos, Abuja, and Nasarawa states. Many of them are now employers of labor,” he noted.
Akhigbe called on philanthropists and corporate organisations to collaborate with him to expand his initiatives.
He also mentioned he is building software to expose children in Nigeria and the U.S. to success and inspiring stories capable of spurring children and women to leave their comfort zones and create wealth.
He further detailed his contributions, stating, “I have built over 100 playgrounds in Edo State to ensure children are allowed to express themselves, an opportunity I never had.
“I have invested in agriculture to cater for children in terms of food security, and I am investing in recycling. I want philanthropists to partner with me to expand this.”
Speaking on his aspirations, Akhigbe said he is looking forward to producing more inspiring movies and writing more books that would further encourage women and children to be their best.
He added that proceeds generated from the sales of these materials would be used to impact more lives.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
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