Vice President Kashim Shettima has said that the programmes and policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are largely focused on empowering Nigerian youths and addressing modern challenges through innovative solutions.
Shettima made the remarks on Thursday while receiving the leadership of the City Boy Movement during a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to the Vice President, President Tinubu remains committed to supporting young Nigerians because they are the driving force behind the nation’s progress and future development.
He described the President as a forward-thinking leader whose reform agenda is aimed at solving contemporary problems and laying the foundation for sustainable national growth.
“Our eponymous City Boy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a man ahead of his time, a man of progressive conviction who summons modern ideas to meet the problems of our twenty-first century,” Shettima said.
The Vice President stressed that effective governance requires courage, patience and a willingness to implement policies that may not attract immediate public approval but are necessary for long-term national benefits.
He noted that Nigeria’s economic recovery depends not only on government policies but also on citizens who are willing to support reforms during challenging periods.
Shettima further stated that democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in governance beyond election periods.
Addressing members of the City Boy Movement led by Seyi Tinubu, he said public confidence in government grows when citizens voluntarily support policies and institutions they believe can improve national outcomes.
“There is no verdict on a government more convincing than the solidarity of citizens who volunteer to stand for its success,” he said.
The Vice President observed that such support is particularly meaningful when it comes from young Nigerians who choose constructive engagement and remain optimistic about the country’s future.
He commended the City Boy Movement for mobilising citizens across Nigeria and encouraging wider participation in governance.
According to him, democratic institutions cannot survive on criticism alone but require citizens who can explain government policies, build public trust and encourage national unity.
“We could not be prouder of the pace you have set in mobilising Nigerians to stand with their government, to stand for the promise of the nation, and to stand in defence of the hard choices required to save this country from inherited decline,” he stated.
Shettima also praised Seyi Tinubu for maintaining engagement with young people and building support networks across communities nationwide.
Speaking on leadership, the Vice President said successful leaders must be able to govern both supporters and critics without resentment.
“Politics is the discipline of leading those who admire you and those who despise you alike. You are not a leader until you accept this burden without bitterness,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration remains committed to protecting democratic freedoms and creating an environment where citizens can freely express support or opposition.
“This is the democracy we have come to protect: a free home for those who support us and for those who oppose us, a place where we defend the voices raised against us and guard the freedom even of our critics,” he added.
The Vice President urged members of the movement to remain disciplined and united, noting that strong institutions are built on trust, consultation and commitment to a common purpose.
Earlier, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Hon. Francis Oluwatosin Shoga, commended the Tinubu administration for achievements in infrastructure and economic development.
He said the government’s reforms are producing positive results and pledged that members of the movement would mobilise support across the country for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Shoga explained that the movement was established to support the administration’s programmes, promote awareness of its achievements and strengthen public backing ahead of future elections.
He also praised Vice President Shettima for his contributions to national development through the administration’s reform initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, described Shettima as a strong supporter of young Nigerians and thanked him for his commitment to youth-focused programmes.
Olawande revealed that the City Boy Movement has representatives in all states of the federation and plans to soon commission its national headquarters in Abuja.
