By Taiye Olayemi
Lagos, Dec. 20, 2025 (NAN) – In a powerful reframing of the narrative, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), has declared that the future of Nigeria’s North-East region will be built on its intellectual capital and tenacity, not defined by its past adversities.
Dr. Kwairanga delivered this message as the keynote speaker at the landmark maiden North-East Youth Investment and Innovation Summit in Gombe, an event he described as a pivotal signal of the region’s shifting trajectory.
“This summit sends a powerful message that the North-East is not defined by its challenges, but by its ideas, resilience, and future-facing ambition,” he stated. This perspective is crucial for attracting investment, which often follows confidence and a compelling narrative of growth.
The Demographic Imperative: Investing in Youth is Non-Negotiable
Kwairanga anchored his argument in Nigeria’s stark demographic reality: over 60% of the population is under 30. “This leaves us with a clear choice,” he explained. “We must invest intentionally in our youth, or we risk catastrophically underutilizing our greatest asset—our human capital.” He positioned youth not as a challenge to be managed, but as the primary engine for national progress, whose drive and creativity must be harnessed.
Bridging the Gap: How Capital Markets Can Fuel Youth-Led Transformation
Delving deeper into the NGX’s role, Kwairanga outlined a philosophy of inclusive finance. “We strongly believe that Capital Markets must work for everyone, across regions, sectors, and generations,” he said. He painted a vision of a supportive ecosystem where financial literacy, access to funding, and mentorship converge.
“When young people are equipped with financial knowledge, access to funding, and the right ecosystem of support, they do not merely seek jobs, they create them. They do not wait for opportunity; they build enterprises that drive economic transformation.”
He emphasized that summits like this are critical infrastructure for development, as they “help bridge the gap between talent and capital, between ideas and execution.”
A Direct Charge to the Next Generation
Moving beyond inspiration to practical advice, the NGX Chairman issued a direct charge to the youth in attendance. He urged them to recognize their economic participation as “essential, not optional,” and to take proactive steps:
- Master the Language of Finance: Learn how markets, investments, and capital allocation work.
- Shift from Consumer to Creator: Position themselves as architects of value and founders of enterprises, not just seekers of employment.
- See Their Ideas as Vital: Understand that their innovations are needed to solve local and national challenges.
A Call to Action for Leaders and Institutions
Kwairanga also directed a call to policymakers and industry leaders, stressing their responsibility to “build systems that are transparent, accessible, and supportive of enterprise.” He called for “deliberate efforts” to ensure inclusive development where “no region is left behind,” implicitly advocating for policies that de-risk investment in areas like the North-East.
To institutionalize this momentum, he pledged the NGX’s support for future summits and urged that the event become a regular fixture. “Making this a regular event is key to attracting more targeted investors to Gombe State and the North-East region in general,” he noted, highlighting the link between consistent dialogue and capital flows.
Government Alignment and MSME Support
The summit also highlighted governmental alignment with this private-sector vision. Speaking on behalf of the Gombe State Government, Alhaji Abdulwahab Sabo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on MSMEs, reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship.
He detailed a multi-pronged approach focusing on policy support, capacity building, improved access to finance, and strategic partnerships—all aimed at nurturing innovation and fostering economic inclusion. This synergy between capital market advocacy and ground-level government intervention presents a more robust framework for sustainable growth.
Conclusion: Dr. Kwairanga’s address successfully reoriented the conversation around the North-East from one of deficit to one of profound asset and potential. By linking youth empowerment directly to the mechanisms of the capital markets and calling for systemic support, the speech provided both a compelling narrative and a concrete pathway for transforming the region’s ambition into tangible economic reality.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
PTB/AWA
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
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Image Credit: Source Content
