President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday hosted the City Boy Movement and allied youth groups at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, telling members he was “very proud” of them and crediting young Nigerians with standing by his government through its most difficult reforms.
The gathering brought together the City Boy Movement (CBM); Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTFIN); the youth wing of the All Progressives Congress; and diaspora youth groups. It came less than three months before the presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday 16 January 2027.
Thanking the groups for backing the removal of the fuel subsidy, currency reforms and the restructuring of the tax system, the President said: “You understood that a nation cannot borrow its way to greatness.” He added: “You were patient when patience was hard.”
“You have only started”
According to the President, the CBM has grown to more than 4.8 million verifiable members, organised across states, local government areas, wards and polling units. “That is not noise. That is organisation,” he said. He also praised the movement’s “City Boys Care” initiative.
That is not noise. That is organisation.
Turning to his son, Seyi, the President said: “But I will tell you what every father tells his son: you have only started.”
Tinubu pointed to programmes aimed at young people, among them the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the consumer credit scheme CREDICORP, and the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme. He urged members to campaign peacefully and lawfully, to collect their Permanent Voter Cards, and to avoid violence ahead of polling day.
“They are not our enemies”
Vice President Kashim Shettima said what sets the administration apart is its “refusal to pay lip service to the structural reforms Nigeria needs.” He told members to focus on the government’s achievements and to avoid name-calling, saying of political opponents: “They are not our enemies.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, praised the CBM’s organisation and its AI-driven platform, while the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, commended the group’s use of technology and data. The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, credited the President with a long record of investing in young people dating back to his time as Governor of Lagos State.
The CBM’s Director-General, Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, said the movement has 4.8 million members in its database. “We are not just raising members; we are building leaders,” he said.
Ahmed Bala, Director-General of RTFIN, said his group will deliver 10 million votes for the President.
Sources
- State House — Tinubu commends youth support groups, reaffirms commitment to youth empowerment and inclusive governance
- Vanguard — “I’m very proud of you” — Tinubu showers praise on City Boy Movement
- TVC News — Tinubu praises City Boy Movement, says group has 4.8m members
- Parrot Nigeria — “You’re campaigning for your future”, Tinubu tells City Boys
This report is compiled from the public news reports and official statements listed above. Quotes and figures are attributed to those who made them.