President Bola Tinubu has praised the City Boy Movement and other youth support groups for defending his administration’s policies, saying their commitment has helped explain the need for difficult economic reforms....
President Bola Tinubu has praised the City Boy Movement and other youth support groups for defending his administration’s policies, saying their commitment has helped explain the need for difficult economic reforms.
Tinubu spoke on Monday after hosting the leadership and members of the City Boy Movement, the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (TIFN) team and other youth groups from Nigeria and the diaspora at the State House.
In a statement shared on his X account, the President said the groups had supported his administration since 2022 through grassroots mobilisation, campus engagements, activities in markets and motor parks, and social media campaigns.
“For three years, you have defended this administration in the markets, on campuses, in motor parks and on social media, often when it was unpopular to do so,” Tinubu said.
“You understood why difficult decisions had become necessary and why Nigeria could not keep borrowing to postpone them. I have seen your commitment, and I will never forget it.”
The President said the City Boy Movement had grown to more than 4.8 million verifiable members organised across states, local governments, wards and polling units.
He also highlighted the movement’s contact centre and its City Boy Care initiative, which he said supports members in their communities.
Tinubu expressed particular interest in the launch of AskCityBoy, an artificial intelligence-powered platform designed to help Nigerians understand government policies through everyday conversations.
He cited Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, as having observed that the movement had developed a platform capable of answering Nigerians’ questions wherever they were.
“I am proud of you. I encourage every Nigerian, including our critics, to visit askcityboy.com and ask the questions that matter to you,” the President said.
Tinubu also highlighted government initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
He said the initiatives were designed to support students, improve access to consumer credit and equip Nigerians with skills for a changing economy.
“Our reforms must translate into better opportunities for Nigerians and greater security for our families,” he said, adding that the government would continue to extend such opportunities.
With the 2027 general election approaching, Tinubu urged members of the groups to mobilise voters peacefully and lawfully, while encouraging Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
“The coming election concerns the future we are building together. Get your PVC and encourage your neighbours to get theirs. Organise peacefully and lawfully. Take our record to Nigerians and make your case with conviction,” he said.
The President also singled out his son, Seyi Tinubu, for praise over his role in establishing the City Boy Movement, saying he had started the initiative without seeking a political title or public office.
“To my son Seyi, who started this quietly and without asking for a title, you have only started. There is much more you can do for our people, and I expect you to keep going,” Tinubu said.
He thanked members and supporters for committing their time and resources to the movement, concluding: “Your hope, my hope, has been renewed.”