President welcomes Mastercard’s plan to train five million businesses, says ongoing reforms are creating opportunities for youth empowerment, digital innovation, and economic growth.
President Bola Tinubu has assured global investors that Nigerian youths possess the skills, adaptability, and technological capacity to thrive in the global digital economy.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a delegation from Mastercard led by its Global Chief Executive Officer, Michael Miebach, at the State House in Abuja, the President described Nigeria’s youthful population as the country’s greatest asset.
President Tinubu welcomed Mastercard’s proposal to train five million businesses in digital skills, noting that ongoing economic reforms have repositioned and stabilised Nigeria’s economy for greater participation in the global market.
“The most important asset is our youth,” the President said, adding that the government remains committed to empowering young Nigerians and small businesses through technology and digital inclusion.
He also highlighted efforts to formalise the nation’s large informal business sector, saying the move would create more opportunities for investment, job creation, and economic growth.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, said recent reforms have encouraged thousands of informal businesses to register daily, creating fresh opportunities in the digital and credit economy.
In his remarks, Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic transformation. He disclosed that Mastercard plans to empower millions of small businesses with digital skills and strengthen cybersecurity, digital payments, and financial inclusion across the country.
Miebach noted that Nigeria remains a key market for Mastercard and expressed confidence in the country’s economic direction under the current administration.