Vice President Kashim Shettima has assurred Nigerians that the worst is over in the economic challenges bedeviling the nation. 

Shettima, who gave the assurance at the official launch of the National Design and Innovation Competition at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, noted that Nigeria’s youthful population, with an average age of just 19 years old, “is an age group that is pregnant with ideas for innovation and for the social and economic transformation of Nigeria”, adding that, “Innovation drives manufacturing and Nigeria is brimming with possibilities and opportunities.”

He pledged the federal government’s support for youth aspirations and entrepreneurship, commending the financial institutions’ backing of the creative sector. Shettima also announced plans to include young innovators in the government’s $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) programme.

The Vice President further declared that “the worst is over”, noting that the naira would continue to stabilise in the coming weeks and months, as the President Bola Tinubu administration tackles issues like food security, nutrition and insecurity. He added that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making robust plans to see that all issues of insecurity are addressed.”