President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have engaged youth leaders ahead of the January 2027 general elections, framing the forthcoming contest as a pivotal battle for the future of Nigeria’s younger generation.
Speaking at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja on Monday during an audience with the leadership of the City Boy Movement, President Tinubu urged young Nigerians to embrace ideas-driven politics rather than violence, noting that youth ownership of the democratic process is vital to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Nigeria must win this election before any candidate does. You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future,” the President said.
Defending his administration’s policy trajectory, Tinubu maintained that reversing structural decisions – such as the petrol subsidy removal and foreign exchange unification – would return the nation to long-term financial unsustainability. He noted that his government had consciously entrusted young leaders with high-level executive and ministerial responsibilities, pledging to expand youth inclusion if re-elected.
Responding, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Shoga, revealed that the group has registered 4.6 million young voters in its verified database and committed to mobilising at least 10 million youth votes across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory for the President’s re-election bid. Shoga added that following its regional tours, the group is planning a mega rally in November to formally consolidate youth declarations.
Vice President Shettima mounted a robust defence of the administration’s economic stewardship, stating that reforms had prevented economic collapse. He noted that liquid foreign reserves had dropped to $3.9 billion when the administration took office in May 2023, contrasting that with current external reserves exceeding $55 billion and a declining headline inflation rate of 14.63 per cent recorded in September 2026.
Acknowledging the persistent pressure of food inflation at 19.59 per cent, Shettima appealed for patience and announced that an upcoming nationwide agricultural intervention would help drive down the cost of essential foodstuffs, while highlighting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) as a cornerstone policy protecting youth access to tertiary institutions.
The engagement comes as the All Progressives Congress prepares to flag off its nationwide presidential campaign in Kaduna on 24 October ahead of the January 2027 presidential poll.
