MacArthur Foundation launches Nigeria next initiative to empower young people
The MacArthur Foundation has launched Nigeria Next, a new initiative focused on empowering young Nigerians through digital inclusion, innovation, civic engagement, and policy development.
The programme is designed to position young people as drivers of social and economic transformation by expanding their access to technology, economic opportunities, and governance processes in an increasingly digital world.
According to the foundation, the initiative will combine grant funding, impact investments, research, and policy engagement to address structural barriers that limit youth participation in Nigeria’s digital economy and civic space.
The foundation noted that Nigeria’s demographic structure makes the intervention particularly urgent, with about 60 percent of the population under the age of 30 and 42 percent under 15. Despite this youth bulge, only about seven percent of young Nigerians currently possess the digital skills required to fully participate in the digital economy.
Nigeria Next will focus on four priority areas: digital inclusion, creativity and innovation, civic participation, and evidence-based policy reforms.
Under its digital inclusion component, the foundation plans to expand access to technology and digital tools while promoting knowledge in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital ethics, and future-ready skills.
The initiative will also support innovation hubs, incubators, and collaborative workspaces to stimulate creativity, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
In the civic space, the programme aims to strengthen journalism and media ecosystems, amplify youth voices, promote responsible digital citizenship, and support efforts to counter digital repression.
