The Northern Christian Youth Professionals (NCYP) has applauded the latest assessment by the World Bank, in recognising the improving economic performance in Nigeria and other African economies following years of reforms and improved economic management.

The group said, in its Africa Economic Update: Building AI Readiness, released on October 6, 2026, “the World Bank upgraded its growth outlook for nearly three-quarters of Sub-Saharan African countries, including Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia”, adding, “the Bank said these gains reflect years of reforms and improved economic management, while stressing that the next challenge is to turn economic growth into more jobs and better opportunities”.

In a statement by the National Chairman of NCYP, Isaac Linus Abrak, on Wednesday, “This assessment comes just five days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s October 1, 2026 Independence Day address, in which he said the emergency treatment is overwhelming. The foundation has been repaired, signalling a shift from economic stabilisation and difficult reforms towards shared prosperity.”

According to Abrak, “For NCYP, the message from both developments is clear: Nigeria must now move from reform to prosperity, from growth to jobs, and from jobs to poverty reduction.”

He said, “Nigeria’s real GDP grew by 4.43% in the second quarter of 2026, up from 3.89% in the first quarter. This follows growth of 3.87% in 2025 and 3.38% in 2024. This improving growth is encouraging, but growth must ultimately be felt in the lives of ordinary Nigerians through jobs, better incomes, affordable opportunities and improved living standards”.

Abrak explained, “This is why investment in our young people is so important.
Through NELFUND, more than 1.1 million Nigerian students have gained access to tertiary education financing. At the same time, the Federal Government’s proposed comprehensive NYSC reforms could make national service more productive by equipping graduates with specialised skills in areas such as agriculture, medicine, education, technology, digital innovation, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise and the creative economy.”

Pointing out that “this is particularly important for a country where more than 60% of the population is below the age of 30”, he added, “our youth population should not be seen only as a challenge.”

” With education, skills, financing and the right economic environment, our young people can become entrepreneurs, skilled professionals, job creators and drivers of industrialisation”, he added.

He further stressed, “The economic pathway is simple: Reforms create stability. Stability encourages investment. Education and skills create opportunities. Enterprise creates businesses and jobs. Industrialisation creates sustainable prosperity.”

For Northern Nigerian youth, this transition is especially important. We need an economy where growth becomes skills, skills become enterprise, enterprise becomes jobs, and jobs become sustainable livelihoods.

Abrak said, “This is why continuity matters. The reforms that have begun must be sustained and deepened so that the gains from economic stabilisation can translate into jobs, stronger businesses, industrial growth and better living standards”.

He added, “it is against this background that NCYP supports the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, with our position anchored on policy continuity and the need to consolidate the economic reforms while moving decisively into the next phase of job creation, human-capital development and industrialisation.”