FG Launches Bold Plan to Train 100,000 Youths Yearly in Forex Trading, Paving Path to Digital Empowerment

In a landmark move that could reshape Nigeria’s approach to youth empowerment and digital inclusion, the Federal Government has announced a groundbreaking initiative to train 100,000 young Nigerians annually in forex trading. The announcement was made public on Tuesday through a statement issued by Omolara Esan, the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Youth Development. The training program, which comes in partnership with Investonaire Academy, is poised to become one of the most ambitious and strategic efforts to tackle youth unemployment and broaden financial literacy across the country.

The official unveiling followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy on Monday in Abuja. At the heart of this agreement lies a vision to equip Nigerian youths with practical skills in forex trading, risk management, and financial planning, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the global financial ecosystem. By aligning itself with a fast-growing sector that is increasingly defined by digital tools and global interconnectivity, the government is sending a clear message: the future of employment and wealth creation is digital, borderless, and skill-driven.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who presided over the MoU signing ceremony, did not mince words in underlining the significance of this initiative. Describing the program as a “strategic move,” he emphasized its potential to not only address immediate unemployment issues but also to reposition Nigeria’s youth as digitally savvy entrepreneurs capable of creating wealth beyond traditional industries. “This partnership reflects our strategic vision for sustainable youth development,” Olawande said. “Beyond trading, we’re teaching our youths to think critically, embrace digital tools, and seize global opportunities to build wealth and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy.”

The timing of this announcement is particularly important. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, continues to grapple with widespread unemployment, with the youth population disproportionately affected. For many young Nigerians, traditional employment avenues have proven inaccessible, unreliable, or unfulfilling. Against this backdrop, forex trading, a $7 trillion-per-day global industry, emerges as a promising frontier. With the right training and guidance, it presents an opportunity not only for financial independence but also for long-term economic empowerment.

Minister Olawande underscored the program’s importance as more than a symbolic gesture, stating that the MoU would be followed by tangible actions. “This MoU is not just a formality. It is a commitment to action. We will ensure transparent, measurable outcomes that genuinely impact the lives of young Nigerians,” he affirmed. He further added that the program would be monitored for effectiveness, and that the government would prioritize accountability and excellence throughout its rollout.

Equally optimistic was Dr. Enefola Odiba, the International Programme Director at Investonaire Academy, who expressed strong confidence in the transformative potential of the partnership. According to Dr. Odiba, the training would go beyond basic trading strategies, focusing instead on long-term economic empowerment and holistic personal development. “Youths are the backbone of any nation. When empowered, they become catalysts for innovation and growth. This initiative is designed to bridge the socio-economic divide and unlock the immense potential of our young people,” he said.

Dr. Odiba further noted that the program dovetails perfectly with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of promoting digital literacy, economic diversification, and the development of a more innovation-driven economy. As the digital economy continues to reshape the global labor market, programs like this can help ensure that Nigerian youths are not left behind but are instead equipped to lead and innovate on a global scale.

This initiative also reflects a growing recognition of the role private sector partnerships can play in national development. By collaborating with Investonaire Academy—a well-regarded institution with international reach—the Federal Government is leveraging outside expertise and resources in a bid to deliver impactful, scalable solutions. In doing so, it is fostering a model of governance that is collaborative rather than insular, and proactive rather than reactive.

Moreover, this partnership is set to instill a new culture of financial literacy and responsibility among Nigerian youths. In a country where get-rich-quick schemes often gain traction due to widespread economic frustration, the emphasis on structured training, risk management, and long-term growth is refreshing. By promoting informed participation in the forex market, the program has the potential to reduce financial naivety while also creating a new generation of self-employed professionals capable of mentoring others and reinvesting in their communities.

The Ministry of Youth Development has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the initiative is executed with transparency, excellence, and measurable success. It plans to deploy advanced monitoring tools and feedback systems to gauge the program’s reach and effectiveness. Participants will reportedly have access to a robust support system, including mentorship, online resources, and real-time trading labs designed to simulate real-world market conditions.

The potential ripple effects of this program are enormous. With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, even a fraction of the 100,000 annual participants finding success in forex trading could lead to a surge in small-scale wealth creation, higher consumer spending, and reduced dependence on public assistance. More importantly, it could sow the seeds of a digitally fluent, economically empowered generation capable of driving innovation across multiple sectors.

Critics may point to the volatility and complexity of forex trading as a potential drawback, but the structured nature of the training and the involvement of a reputable academy suggest that the government is mindful of these risks. The inclusion of risk management and financial literacy components in the curriculum speaks to a deliberate effort to mitigate those concerns and ensure participants are entering the field with realistic expectations and the tools necessary to succeed.

In the broader context of Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, the FG-Investonaire forex training initiative stands out as a bold, forward-thinking intervention. It represents not just a skills development program, but a statement of intent—an affirmation that Nigerian youths are not problems to be solved, but solutions waiting to be empowered. If executed as promised, this could become a template for how to channel youthful energy into productive, future-ready ventures. For now, the eyes of the nation—and indeed, of Africa—will be watching closely to see if this ambitious plan can deliver on its transformative promise.