By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar has promised to tackle Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis and expand economic opportunities for young Nigerians, saying the country needs a government that enables prosperity rather than teaching citizens how to survive hardship.
Atiku made the remarks on Saturday in a post on his X handle while reacting to a visit by a nationwide delegation of N-Power beneficiaries who declared their support for his presidential ambition.
He said the rising cost of living had eroded the purchasing power of millions of Nigerians, weakened small businesses and pushed many young people further away from employment, access to capital and economic independence.
“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,” he said.
The former vice president said his administration would restore purchasing power, reduce the cost of living and deliberately expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
According to him, this would include a $100 billion financing programme targeted at start-ups and entrepreneurs.
“Our objective is simple: move young Nigerians from dependence to enterprise, from unemployment to productivity, and from palliatives to prosperity,” Atiku said.
He said his commitment to economic transformation informed his decision to receive the N-Power beneficiaries, who he said came from across the country to express their support for his presidential candidacy.
Atiku thanked the delegation for its confidence and stressed that Nigeria’s future could not be secured through the distribution of palliatives alone.
“I 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.
He framed the 2027 political contest as a choice between maintaining an economy that, in his assessment, continues to shrink opportunities and building one capable of restoring hope, dignity and prosperity.
“The choice before us is between continuing with an economy that shrinks opportunities and building one that restores hope, dignity and prosperity,” Atiku said.
He added: “We will make Nigeria affordable again.”
