Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has promised to establish a $100 billion financing programme for start-ups and entrepreneurs if elected president in 2027.

Atiku made the pledge in a statement on Saturday while outlining his plans to address Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis and create more economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

The former Vice President said young Nigerians do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship but one that creates an environment where they can prosper.

“Nigeria’s young people do not need a government that teaches them how to survive hardship. They need a government that gives them the opportunity to prosper,” Atiku said.

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He said the rising cost of living had reduced the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and made it more difficult for young people to secure jobs, access capital and achieve economic independence.

According to the ADC presidential candidate, his administration would prioritise restoring purchasing power, reducing the cost of living and deliberately expanding economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

Atiku said a key component of his economic plan would be a $100 billion financing programme targeted at start-ups and entrepreneurs.

He explained that the objective would be to move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, unemployment to productivity and reliance on palliatives to sustainable prosperity.

Atiku spoke after receiving a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who visited him to declare their support for his presidential candidacy.

The former Vice President said he appreciated the delegation for their confidence and used the occasion to restate his position that Nigeria’s future could not be secured through the distribution of palliatives alone.

“I thanked them for their confidence and reiterated that Nigeria cannot build its future by distributing poverty. We must build an economy that creates jobs, rewards enterprise and gives every young Nigerian a fair chance to succeed,” he said.

Atiku said the 2027 presidential election would present Nigerians with a choice between continuing with an economy that, in his assessment, is shrinking opportunities and building one capable of restoring hope, dignity and prosperity.

He also promised to make Nigeria more affordable for citizens if elected president.

“We will make Nigeria affordable again,” Atiku promised.

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