In the heart of Adamawa State, nestled amid the rolling savannas and vibrant communities of Nigeria's North-East region, a beacon of hope has been ignited. On a sun-drenched day that seemed to mirror the optimism it sought to foster, Comrade Mustapha Salihu, PhD, Esq.—the indomitable National Vice Chairman (North-East) of the All Progressives Congress (APC)—unveiled a transformative N200 million youth support programme. This ambitious endeavour, targeting 200 carefully selected beneficiaries, stands as a testament to visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment to the aspirations of Nigeria's youthful population. Launched yesterday at the Amalgamated Adamawa Youth Conference, the initiative is not merely a financial disbursement but a strategic lifeline designed to combat the twin specters of unemployment and social unrest, while weaving the threads of economic empowerment into the fabric of everyday lives.
To fully appreciate the magnitude of this launch, one must first contextualize it within the broader socio-economic landscape of Adamawa State and, indeed, the entire North-East geopolitical zone. Adamawa, with its capital in Yola, is a state of profound contrasts: a land of fertile agricultural plains that feed the nation, yet one plagued by the lingering shadows of insurgency, economic dislocation, and youth disenfranchisement. The Boko Haram conflict, which ravaged the region for over a decade, left scars that run deeper than the scars on the earth—displaced families, shattered economies, and a generation of young people adrift in a sea of unfulfilled potential. Official statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) paint a stark picture: youth unemployment in the North-East hovers around 40%, far exceeding the national average of 33%. In Adamawa alone, thousands of graduates and school leavers languish in idleness, their dreams deferred by a lack of opportunities in a post-conflict economy still grappling with reconstruction.
It is against this backdrop that Comrade Salihu's intervention emerges as a clarion call for renewal. The programme is explicitly aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a national blueprint that prioritizes inclusive growth, youth engagement, and poverty alleviation. Tinubu's vision, articulated since his assumption of office in 2023, emphasizes "bottom-up" development—empowering the grassroots to drive national progress. Salihu, a seasoned legal scholar, political strategist, and community advocate, has long embodied this ethos. With credentials spanning a PhD in law, a robust legal practice, and a storied career in party politics, he has positioned himself as a bridge between federal aspirations and local realities. His role as APC's North-East Vice Chairman has afforded him a vantage point from which to diagnose the region's ailments: not just economic, but social and psychological. "Unemployment is not merely a statistic," Salihu remarked during the conference, his voice resonant with the gravitas of a man who has walked the corridors of power and the dusty streets of Adamawa alike. "It is a thief that steals futures, a spark that ignites restiveness. This programme is our counterstrike—arming our youth with tools to build, not destroy."
The Amalgamated Adamawa Youth Conference itself was a spectacle of communal energy, drawing over 1,500 participants from across the state's 21 local government areas. Held at the expansive Yola International Conference Centre, the event buzzed with the electric anticipation of transformation. Banners emblazoned with the APC's progressive emblem fluttered alongside motivational slogans: "Renewed Hope for Adamawa's Youth" and "From Idleness to Innovation." Local musicians and poets performed interludes that celebrated resilience, while panels of experts—economists, educators, and entrepreneurs—delved into the mechanics of sustainable empowerment. It was here, amid cheers and rhythmic applause, that Salihu took the stage to announce the first phase of disbursements: a staggering N10 million allocated to 13 immediate beneficiaries. This initial tranche is but a prelude to the full N200 million rollout, which will unfold over the next 18 months, ensuring a steady infusion of support that avoids the pitfalls of one-off aid.
The selection process for these beneficiaries was a model of transparency and meritocracy, overseen by a multi-stakeholder committee that included representatives from civil society, religious leaders, and youth organizations. Criteria were rigorous: applicants had to demonstrate entrepreneurial potential, community involvement, and a clear business plan. No nepotism tainted the list; instead, it reflected the diversity of Adamawa's youth—Muslims and Christians, urban dwellers and rural farmers, men and women united by ambition. The seven recipients of N1 million each were: Isa Garba Mayo, a 28-year-old agricultural innovator from Gombi LGA who plans to scale his rice milling venture; Dahiru Usman, 25, an IT enthusiast from Numan set on launching a digital skills training hub; Khalil Sajo, 30, a budding textile entrepreneur from Yola South; Anas Bala, 27, whose passion for renewable energy will fund solar-powered irrigation systems; Magdaline David, 24, the lone female in this group, aiming to establish a poultry farm that employs local women; Pwaadato David, 26, her brother and a mechanical engineering graduate targeting auto repair services; and Faisal Mohammed Usman, 29, whose N1 million will bootstrap a logistics firm connecting Adamawa's markets to national supply chains.
Complementing them were six recipients of N500,000 each: Ibrahim Haruna, 22, from Fufore LGA, who will invest in beekeeping as a sustainable income source; Umar Moh’d Lawan, 31, pursuing barbering equipment upgrades in Mubi; Ishiyaku Aliyu, 23, focusing on tailoring skills in Hong; Abdulhadi Ahmed, 28, expanding a phone repair business in Song; Aisha Abubakar Muh’d, 25, from Demsa, dedicated to a catering enterprise; and Safiyanu Aliyu, 27, hailing from Rumdee Ward in Yola North LGA, whose funds will support a small-scale fashion design studio. Each cheque presentation was a moment of raw emotion—tears of joy, hugs from families, and vows of perseverance. As Isa Garba Mayo clutched his envelope, he declared, "This isn't just money; it's a mandate to multiply opportunities for my community."
Yet, the programme's ambition extends far beyond this inaugural phase. Salihu, ever the forward-thinker, outlined a multifaceted expansion that will touch not only youth but ancillary groups vital to Adamawa's social ecosystem. Women, often the unsung anchors of households in this region, will receive targeted support through micro-grants for home-based enterprises like soap-making and weaving. Artisans—carpenters, welders, and masons whose trades form the backbone of local construction—stand to gain from equipment kits, including power tools and safety gear. And in a nod to mobility and commerce, the initiative promises the distribution of vehicles such as tricycles (popularly known as "keke" in Nigerian parlance) and saloon cars for ride-hailing services, alongside deep freezers for fishmongers and butchers to preserve perishables in a state where power outages are a perennial foe. Small-scale business equipment, from sewing machines to grinding mills, will be disbursed to foster self-reliance. "We are not handing out fish," Salihu emphasized, echoing the age-old proverb. "We are teaching how to fish—and providing the nets, boats, and markets to sell the catch."
This holistic approach is the brainchild of the Comrade Mustapha Salihu (CMS) Special Empowerment Committee, chaired by Bello Babalo, the Director of Protocol. In a detailed statement released post-event, Babalo hailed the programme as a bulwark against economic hardship, a deliberate strategy to "cushion the blows of inflation and scarcity that have squeezed Adamawa's families." He underscored its role in supporting livelihoods, projecting that the 200 beneficiaries could, in turn, create over 1,000 indirect jobs within two years—through supply chains, apprenticeships, and expanded markets. Babalo's words carried the weight of firsthand insight; as committee chair, he had traversed Adamawa's wards, vetting proposals and witnessing the desperation masked by daily resilience. "This is one of the most ambitious empowerment initiatives ever undertaken by an individual in the state," he asserted, placing it in historical context. Unlike sporadic donations that fade into memory, Salihu's scheme is structured with monitoring mechanisms: quarterly progress reports, mentorship pairings with APC elders, and reinvestment clauses ensuring that successful ventures "pay it forward" by training others.
What elevates this programme from philanthropy to political masterstroke is its seamless integration with institutional support. Babalo extended profuse thanks to the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu—a fellow Adamawa son and APC stalwart—whose endorsement lent federal gravitas to the launch. Ribadu, a former EFCC chairman renowned for his anti-corruption crusades, has been a quiet force in Tinubu's security architecture, channeling resources to stabilize the North-East. His backing, Babalo noted, facilitated logistical aid and security assurances, allowing the conference to proceed without hitches in a region still sensitive to gatherings. Equally vital was the APC's endorsement at state and national levels. Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, though from the opposition PDP, sent a congratulatory message praising the cross-party spirit, while national APC figures like Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded it as a blueprint for zonal development. This convergence of elite support signals a rare bipartisanship, underscoring how Salihu's initiative transcends partisanship to address universal pains.
The human element, however, is where the story truly resonates. Beneficiaries, their faces alight with newfound purpose, took to the microphone with testimonials that blended gratitude and resolve. Khalil Sajo, the textile entrepreneur whose N1 million will fund looms and dyes, spoke first: "On behalf of my fellow recipients, we thank President Tinubu for the Renewed Hope that trickles down to us; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for his unwavering belief in Adamawa's potential; and the APC leadership, from Comrade Salihu to the national executives, for seeing us not as statistics but as seeds of tomorrow." His voice cracked with emotion as he pledged, "We assure you of our readiness to rally support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. This gesture has bound us to the APC's cause." Echoing him, Magdaline David shared her journey: orphaned young in the insurgency's wake, she had juggled petty trading with night classes. "This N1 million isn't for me alone," she said. "It's for the girls in my village who dream of more than marriage at 15. We'll vote with our feet—and our businesses—for leaders who deliver."
Such sentiments rippled through the crowd, transforming the conference into a rally of reciprocity. Other beneficiaries, like Safiyanu Aliyu from Rumdee Ward, recounted personal odysseys: Aliyu, a single mother of two, had honed her sewing skills amid blackouts, her designs adorning local markets. The N500,000, she vowed, would purchase an industrial machine, enabling her to hire apprentices and expand to bridal wear. "Our leadership, both state and national, has brought succour," she affirmed. "We will do everything humanly possible to reciprocate come 2027." This isn't empty rhetoric; in Nigeria's patronage-driven politics, such pledges often translate to grassroots mobilization—door-to-door campaigns, voter education drives, and youth blocs that tip electoral scales. Analysts predict that Salihu's programme could swell APC's youth membership in Adamawa by 20-30%, fortifying the party's defenses in a state where PDP holds sway.
To delve deeper into the programme's mechanics, consider its economic ripple effects. Each N1 million grant is structured as a low-interest revolving loan, with 70% disbursed upfront and 30% held in escrow for verified milestones. This hybrid model—grant-cum-loan—encourages accountability while minimizing default risks, drawing from successful precedents like the Central Bank's Anchor Borrowers' Programme. For instance, Anas Bala's solar irrigation project could irrigate 50 hectares, boosting rice yields by 40% and generating N5 million annually, per preliminary feasibility studies. Similarly, Faisal Mohammed Usman's logistics firm addresses a critical gap: Adamawa's farm produce often spoils en route to Lagos or Abuja markets, costing farmers billions yearly. With a fleet of tricycles, Usman aims to cut transit losses by 60%, injecting vitality into the state's N300 billion agricultural sector.
Salihu's vision also incorporates skill-building components, partnering with institutions like Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTECH) for workshops on financial literacy, digital marketing, and agribusiness. A dedicated app, "CMS Empower," will track progress, offering virtual mentorship and market linkages. This tech infusion is no afterthought; Salihu, attuned to the digital divide, has advocated for subsidized data bundles, ensuring rural beneficiaries aren't left behind. Environmental sustainability weaves through the fabric: grants prioritize green ventures, like Pwaadato David's electric auto repairs, aligning with Tinubu's climate-resilient agenda.
Critics might whisper of political opportunism, viewing the 2027 allusions as vote-buying veiled in benevolence. Yet, substantiation leans toward sincerity. Salihu's track record—free legal clinics during COVID, scholarships for 500 orphans post-insurgency—predates electoral cycles. Babalo dismissed naysayers: "This is investment, not expenditure. When youth thrive, so does the state." Independent observers, including the Adamawa chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, have commended the transparency, with public audits promised quarterly.
As the sun set on the conference, the air hummed with possibility. Comrade Mustapha Salihu's N200 million programme isn't just aid; it's alchemy—transmuting despair into drive, idleness into industry. In Adamawa's youth, Nigeria glimpses its future: resilient, resourceful, renewed. For the 187 beneficiaries yet to receive their share, the wait is pregnant with promise. For the APC, it's a strategic masterstroke. For President Tinubu's agenda, a living testament. And for Adamawa, a chapter begins—one where hope isn't renewed in rhetoric, but realized in results.