President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to ongoing economic reforms, ruling out any plan to return to the petrol subsidy regime. Addressing members of the City Boy Movement at a special engagement tagged “An Evening with the Original City Boy” at the State House, Abuja, the President vowed not to reverse the economic policies introduced when he assumed office in May 2023, despite implementation challenges.
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The President charged the youth to back his policies for a better future, stating, “You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future, and that future is renewed hope.” He warned that building on the gains earned from the reforms was preferable to falling back into the subsidy era. Removing the petrol subsidy on his first day in office was a necessary action that confronted a longstanding economic challenge avoided by previous regimes. Instead of taking such steps, previous administrations engaged in excessive currency printing that led to fiscal pressures and structural weaknesses, which his administration inherited.
Youth mobilisation and governance inclusion
Expressing satisfaction with the support of young Nigerians for his reform agenda, the President commended the movement—convened by his son, Seyi—for establishing extensive grassroots structures across states, local government areas, and wards. He noted that youth-focused interventions like the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) had supported more than one million students to prevent financial limitations from hindering higher education access.
Other initiatives highlighted include the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to expand access to credit for essential worker assets, and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme to equip young Nigerians with digital skills. Tinubu assured that his administration would continue appointing qualified young Nigerians into responsible positions, maintaining that those inheriting today’s policy decisions deserved a role in shaping them.
Campaign targets and strategic partnership
Turning to the January 16, 2027 presidential election, Tinubu challenged movement members to sustain grassroots engagement, encourage eligible Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, and communicate the administration’s achievements.
Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande expressed confidence in the reform agenda, while the City Boy Movement reaffirmed its target of mobilising at least 10 million youth votes for the President’s re-election. National Co-Patron Amir Kashim Shettima pledged the organisation’s full support. Furthermore, Director-General Francis Oluwatosin Shoga announced that the movement had registered 4.6 million members nationwide and engaged over 50,000 young Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones through the Renewed Hope Youth Tour.
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