By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, in partnership with Investonaire Academy, has launched a major nationwide financial literacy and wealth creation initiative aimed at empowering over 100,000 young Nigerians with essential financial and entrepreneurial skills.
The programme is designed to equip participants with practical knowledge in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and financial planning, enabling them to secure long-term financial independence and stability.
An digital learning tools and government-backed support initiative seeks to boost entrepreneurship, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and support young innovators who often struggle to access funding or technical guidance to scale their ideas.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development Comrade Ayodele Olawande emphasized that financial literacy has become a survival tool in today’s economy.
Minister described the initiative as the foundation of a broader vision that will eventually extend beyond Nigeria to other African countries and global markets.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing over 4,000 corps members annually with platforms, resources, and skills that prepare them for employment and entrepreneurship.
“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” the Minister said.
A major component of the initiative is the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering training, mentorship, and startup support. The Minister announced that more than 200 startups will be empowered through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.
He stressed that government alone cannot drive youth development, calling for more partnerships with organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups. “We need ideas, creativity, and collaboration to transform the lives of millions of Nigerian youth,” he noted.
The Minister also urged young people to embrace skills acquisition and innovation. “A skilled nation will reduce the pressure on our youth to travel abroad. What you learn today has the power to change your life, your family, and your community,” he said.
He outlined three long-term commitments the Ministry aims to uphold: Supporting young people with ideas and innovation; “Empowering young people with the tools to grow and Protecting millions of youths under the Ministry’s mandate and Investonaire Academy Introduces Digital and In-Person Training”
In his Addressed, the Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, Sebastien Sicre, highlighted that the programme was created to transform the way young Nigerians learn and apply financial knowledge. He explained that the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS) provides interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship, making financial education engaging and accessible.
To complement the online curriculum, the Academy has established a new 200-square-metre training facility in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will be held.
The programme covers major asset classes, including equities, commodities, forex, and indices, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of global financial markets.
Sicre added that with Federal Government support, the initiative aims to unlock new opportunities, encourage innovation, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy. A $1 million funding pool has been set aside to reward top-performing participants, helping them start or expand their business ventu
On his own, International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, noted that the programme is designed to close the long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youth. He stressed that while academic institutions teach numerous subjects, essential financial life skills often remain missing.
“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he said.
Odiba linked the initiative to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s definition of financial literacy as the ability to effectively manage financial resources. While reviewing the CBN’s National Financial Literacy Framework, he noted that implementation remains the biggest challenge. This initiative, he explained, brings together government agencies, youth organisations, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.
The curriculum covers core areas such as budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning. The Academy observed that many young people struggle with these foundational skills — from creating budgets and saving consistently to understanding investment options. The programme is structured to close these gaps by offering practical training, real-world insights, mentorship, and a clear pathway to long-term financial empowerment.
“People often speak in big numbers and big promises,” the Academy noted, “but without the right knowledge, attaining financial goals becomes extremely difficult. This initiative is here to bridge that divide.”
The shared goal is to nurture a new generation of financially literate, economically empowered youth who can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth across multiple sectors.
