By Opeyemi Adelakun
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has promised to establish a $100bn financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected President in the 2027 general election.
Atiku made the pledge in a statement posted on his X account on Saturday, saying his proposed administration would prioritise economic opportunities for young Nigerians rather than policies that merely help them cope with hardship.
He said the rising cost of living had weakened the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, while making it harder for small businesses and young people to access jobs, capital and economic independence.
Atiku said his administration would focus on restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and expanding opportunities for young Nigerians through targeted economic interventions.
“My commitment is to change that. We will restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including through a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs,” he said.
The former Vice-President said the proposed financing programme would form part of efforts to shift young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise and from unemployment to productive economic activity.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said.
Atiku disclosed that he made the pledge while receiving a delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to express support for his presidential bid.
He thanked the delegation for their confidence and said Nigeria could not build a sustainable future by relying on the distribution of palliatives.
According to him, the country needs an economy capable of creating jobs, supporting businesses and giving young people greater opportunities to succeed.
“I reiterated that 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,” he said.
Atiku, who is seeking the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 election, said Nigerians would ultimately have to choose between maintaining an economy that limits opportunities and building one that restores hope and prosperity.
“The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity. We will make Nigeria affordable again,” he said.
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