Nigeria's Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, stated that the country can achieve a $1 trillion economy by 2030 if its growing youth population acquires the necessary skills. Speaking at an event in Abuja, he highlighted the demographic potential and urged strategic preparation. The minister commended youth-focused organizations for fostering leadership.
At the 10th anniversary celebration of the I Am Change (IAC) Organisation in Abuja on Saturday, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria's Minister of Budget and National Planning, outlined a pathway to a $1 trillion economy by 2030. He emphasized that success depends on equipping the nation's rapidly expanding youth with skills, discipline, innovation, and a sense of shared responsibility to drive economic growth.
Bagudu noted Nigeria's unique demographic position, with over eight million births recorded last year—nearly matching China's annual population increase. This growth, he said, could transform Nigeria into one of the world's largest labor, talent, and consumer markets within the next decade. However, he warned that without preparation, this opportunity might be lost. "The choices we make today—pleasant or difficult—will determine whether we reach the $1 trillion milestone," Bagudu stated. "To get there, we must identify the skills the future economy requires and support each other to acquire them."
The minister praised IAC for building civic consciousness and leadership among young people, essential for realizing economic goals. He also shared that the government is mapping poverty and conflict drivers across all 8,809 wards nationwide to enhance local productivity and dismantle growth barriers.
In her welcome address, IAC Executive Director Hafsatu Shinkafi cautioned against wasting a generation by ignoring youth potential amid challenges like unemployment, insecurity, and political exclusion. Founded in 2015, IAC has driven initiatives such as the Leadership and Mentoring Academy, Democracy Camp, and the "It Starts With Me" project, contributing to milestones like the "Not Too Young to Run" law. Shinkafi stressed the need for investment in youth now: "We are not training the next generation for tomorrow. We are training them to build Nigeria now. Because the future will not wait."
Bagudu concluded that Nigeria's economic trajectory rests on the youth's hands, minds, and courage, calling for bold decisions and collective sacrifice in the coming seven years.