By Isaac Atunlute
As part of plans to tap into the digital economy, the federal government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to train 100,000 young Nigerians annually in foreign-exchange trading.
In a statement by the Ministry of Youth Development, the initiative–developed in partnership with Investonaire Academy–aims to equip young Nigerians with practical skills in forex trading, financial literacy and risk management.
The project has also been tapped as a strategic economic policy amidst Nigeria’s growing youth unemployment.
“This partnership aligns with our strategic vision for the sustainable development of youths,” said Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development. “Beyond trading, we are equipping our youths to think critically, embrace digital solutions, and tap into global opportunities to build wealth.”
A growing market with untapped potential
Interest in forex and cryptocurrency assets has surged among Nigeria’s tech-savvy youth, many of whom are frustrated with the dearth of formal employment opportunities.
However, without structured training, many traders fall victim to fraud or suffer enormous losses due to poor risk management.
By providing systematic and certified training, the government hopes to turn what is often a chaotic entry into digital finance into a credible path to self-development.
“Youths form the backbone of any nation,” said Enefola Odiba, Director of the International Programmes at Investonaire Academy. “Empowered young people lead to innovation and development. The programme aims to close the socio-economic gap and tap into the immense potential of our youths.”
What’s different this time?
Many of Nigeria’s previous schemes targeted at youth have faltered due to poor oversight and a lack of measurable outcomes. But Minister Olawande maintains that this initiative is designed to avoid those pitfalls.
“This MoU will not be a formality,” he insisted. “We will have open and measurable results that will affect the lives of young Nigerians.”
The training is expected to include mentorship opportunities, online learning platforms, and the potential to earn income from global markets—without leaving Nigeria. The training also aligns with broader government efforts to diversify the economy and promote digitisation.
There are setbacks, though. Forex trading is volatile, and financial experts caution against portraying it as a guaranteed means to profit. “The government must provide not only technical training but psychological orientation, financial discipline and post-training support,” said Ikechukwu Godwin, a forex analyst.
Equal access is also another concern. How will the programme reach young people in rural areas without internet connectivity or access to electronic gadgets?
Despite the challenges, the project represents a step towards building digital capability among the youth. It could become a model for how digital finance can empower grassroots communities–if implemented successfully.
The federal government of Nigeria has signed an MOU with Investonaire Academy to train 100,000 young Nigerians annually in forex trading, aiming to enhance financial literacy and risk management skills. This initiative is a response to growing youth unemployment and seeks to empower young Nigerians by providing practical skills that foster critical thinking and global opportunities. While interest in digital finance is rising, the lack of structured training has led many to suffer losses, which this program aims to address by offering systematic and certified education.
Past youth schemes in Nigeria have failed due to poor oversight, but this initiative promises measurable outcomes with mentorship, online learning, and income-earning opportunities, aligning with efforts to promote digitization and economic diversification. However, experts urge the inclusion of psychological orientation and financial discipline training and express concerns about ensuring access, especially in rural areas without internet connectivity. Despite challenges, the project could successfully empower grassroots communities by building digital capabilities among the youth.
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