FG urges youths to harness social media for economic empowerment
The Federal Government has called on young Nigerians to take advantage of empowerment opportunities available within the social media space. The Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Women, Youth
The Federal Government has called on young Nigerians to take advantage of empowerment opportunities available within the social media space.
The Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Women, Youth Engagement and Impact, Hauwa Liman, made the appeal at the Youth Opportunity Summit 2026 held in Uyo over the weekend.
The summit, themed “Leveraging Opportunities: Building a Future-Ready Youth,” was organised by the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In her remarks, Liman stressed that young people can achieve their aspirations through focus and innovation, noting that government’s role is primarily to create enabling platforms for growth rather than to substitute individual initiative.
''It's possible for you to accomplish whatever you set out to achieve. There are many opportunities locally and globally, and the government should be an enabler.
''We are in the age of social media, use social media to develop yourselves. In this day of social media, you don't need anybody.
“You don't need to have a Godfather. You don't need to have Long Leg. When you invest in yourself, when you commit to developing yourself, other opportunities open,” Liman said.
She disclosed that the youth opportunity summit launched in May 2024 at Bayero University, Kano, has engaged over 12, 000 young people across seven cities.
Liman noted that the summit was not just another conference, but a catalyst for growth among Nigerian youth.
The technical adviser to the vice president on women, youth engagement, and impact added that the summit had supported more than 80 entrepreneurs with over N13 million in grants.
“We have mobilised over 255 young volunteers, building not just capacity, but a culture of service among the youth.
“This Summit has become more than a gathering. It has become a launch pad. Young people who stood on our stages have gone on to leverage local and global opportunities,” she said.
In his keynote address, Prof Akpan Ekpo of the University of Uyo, said that governments must build the framework for a future-ready youth.
Ekpo, who is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy, urged the government to revise the national curriculum to reflect industry realities and global trends to benefit the youth.
He said that for any nation to achieve sustainable growth and development, the youth must be seen not as passive recipients of aid, but as strategic partners and change agents.
He added that the future would not be handed down to the youth on a platter of gold; “they must take it and transform positively today and the future for the benefit of all citizens.”
In his remarks, Dr. Ekerete Ekanem, Commissioner for Youth Development, said that the future belongs to the youth and tasked them with skills development to improve themselves.
Ekanem said that when the government invests in young people, the future of the nation is secured.
He urged youth to show commitment to acquiring knowledge and adaptable skills to empower themselves.
In her open remarks, the Chairman on the occasion, Prof. Comfort Ekpo, urged the youth to grab the opportunity to improve their lives.
Ekpo said that procrastination could result in one missed opportunity, adding that poverty was a result of youth repeatedly passing over opportunities.
