- Dr. Betta Edu highlights the positive impact of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in creating opportunities for young Nigerian entrepreneurs
- Dr. Edu discusses youth migration, emphasizing the potential of Nigeria’s dynamic startup ecosystem and the need for comprehensive solutions
Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has emphasized the positive impact of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in providing young Nigerians with productive opportunities through innovative startup initiatives.
Dr. Edu and representatives from the European Union and 48 other countries convened in The Hague, the capital of the Netherlands, to discuss pressing migration issues concerning young people in Africa and around the world. Her remarks during this event shed light on the opportunities and challenges surrounding youth migration and development.
In a statement by her Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Rasheed Olanrewaju, Dr. Edu emphasized the importance of exploring the connections between migration, youth, and development. She highlighted that the youth, comprising 16% of the world’s population and falling in the age group of 15 to 25 years, represent a dynamic demographic with the potential to drive positive development.
Dr. Edu noted that Nigeria, along with other African countries, has witnessed the emergence of a robust startup ecosystem driven by young entrepreneurs. These startups have attracted significant investments, with Nigeria alone garnering over 2 billion USD between 2015 and 2022. In 2022, 107 startups in Nigeria, founded by individuals aged 25 to 35, secured over 800 million USD in investments.
Dr. Edu also noted that Egypt and South Africa have experienced similar trends, with startups raising substantially in recent years. This remarkable growth underscores the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of the African youth, who are making strides in the tech startup sector and creative industries, education, medicine, science, leadership, and sports.
Regarding the “Japa” syndrome, which involves skilled individuals emigrating from Nigeria, Dr. Edu acknowledged that many migrants face significant challenges in their host countries. This issue calls for comprehensive strategies to address the difficulties encountered by those seeking opportunities abroad while simultaneously harnessing the immense potential of Nigeria’s young population.
Dr. Edu’s participation in international discussions on migration underlines the commitment to finding collaborative solutions to address the complex issues related to migration, particularly concerning the youth. President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the innovative startup initiatives it supports are crucial in providing young Nigerians with opportunities to flourish and contribute to their nation’s development.