Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has unveiled a proposed $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs as part of his economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Atiku said the initiative would be aimed at expanding opportunities for young Nigerians, creating jobs and supporting businesses struggling with limited access to capital.
In a statement shared on his X handle on Saturday, the former Vice President argued that young Nigerians require policies that enable them to build sustainable livelihoods rather than measures that merely help them cope with economic hardship.
He said the rising cost of living had affected the purchasing power of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it harder for young people to secure employment, access capital and achieve economic independence.
According to Atiku, his proposed administration would prioritise restoring purchasing power, reducing living costs and creating an environment where young people can move from unemployment and dependence to entrepreneurship and productivity.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” he said.
Atiku disclosed the plan while receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to express support for his presidential ambition.
He said Nigeria’s economic future could not be secured through poverty alleviation measures alone, stressing the need for an economy that creates jobs, encourages enterprise and expands opportunities.
The former Vice President maintained that Nigerians would face a major choice in 2027 between continuing with policies he said were limiting economic opportunities and pursuing an alternative approach focused on growth, jobs and prosperity.
“We will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku added.
