Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to introduce a $100 billion financing programme for Nigerian start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected president.
Atiku made the commitment in a post on his official X handle, where he argued that Nigerian youths need an economy that creates opportunities rather than a government that teaches them how to cope with hardship.
He said the ongoing cost-of-living crisis had significantly reduced the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it more difficult for young people to secure jobs, access capital and achieve economic independence.
According to him, his administration would focus on restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and deliberately expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper,” Atiku said.
He explained that the proposed $100 billion financing programme would target start-ups and entrepreneurs, with the broader objective of moving young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise and from unemployment to productivity.
Atiku said his economic agenda would also seek to move the country away from reliance on palliatives towards sustainable economic prosperity.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said.
The former vice president made the remarks after receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him and declared their support for his presidential candidacy.
Atiku thanked the delegation for their confidence and used the occasion to reiterate his position that Nigeria’s future could not be secured through the distribution of temporary relief.
He said the country needed an economy capable of creating jobs, rewarding enterprise and providing young Nigerians with a fair opportunity to succeed.
“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 stated.
Atiku further framed the 2027 election as a choice between maintaining an economy he described as one that continues to shrink opportunities and building one capable of restoring hope, dignity and prosperity.
He concluded by promising to make Nigeria more affordable and create an economic environment in which young Nigerians can pursue entrepreneurship and productive employment.
The statement comes as economic hardship, unemployment, youth empowerment and access to affordable capital remain major issues in Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku Abubakar’s X post
