Recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remarked during a meeting with representatives of the Nigerian Exchange Group: “If the stock market is doing well, well, we are doing well, if we can teach this in the classroom to our undergraduates… so that they can be in the classroom without harrowing of where to pay, what to pay and how do they do it…”

Hearing these words brought immense joy to my heart. For me, hearing the President speak on the necessity of introducing financial and market literacy into our educational system was not just a passing comment it was a powerful re-affirmation of a vision I have held and advocated for years.

In 2024, after brainstorming with my wife, I authored a book focused on the mining sector. We reflected deeply on a striking reality: Nigeria is extraordinarily blessed with vast mineral wealth, yet many people across our local communities and states remain ignorant of the valuable resources right beneath their feet not to talk of how to tap them to earn a living.

For too long, societal focus has been disproportionately channeled toward traditional career paths like medicine, law, or engineering. While these professions are vital, the mining sector alone presents infinite economic opportunities. My goal in writing that book was clear: to introduce our young people, from primary and post-primary levels, to practical, foundational knowledge about mining engineering, exploration, investment, and trade. By catching them young, we expand their horizons and empower them to build prosperous futures.

That same philosophy applies to the stock market, especially given its remarkable performance under current economic reforms. Just before the President’s swearing-in between May 26 and 29, 2023, the NGX All-Share Index (ASI) stood at approximately 52,973.88 points with a market capitalization of around ₦28.8 Trillion. Since then, the growth has been steadily astronomical: the All-Share Index surpassed 100,000 points by late 2024 / early 2025 and continued its upward trajectory, while market capitalization crossed ₦50 Trillion by 2024 and expanded past ₦90 Trillion by late 2025. When students learn early how such a thriving market functions and how investments create value, they begin to see clear pathways toward financial independence even while pursuing their education.

This alignment goes far deeper than a single policy or initiative. As I have consistently maintained, I carry the progressive political spirit and leadership ideals of President Tinubu. Having studied and absorbed his political philosophy since I was 12 years old, I have seen time and again how ideas I envisage whether on ward priority program, people-oriented projects, frontline officers first welfare or community-level development are echoed in the President’s actions and policies.

This shared mindset is what drives our work at BAT Ideology and the Value Orientation for Youth Foundation. Our approach has never been about passive theory; it is about practical, hands-on empowerment. We equip primary, secondary, and undergraduate students with practical knowledge in critical economic sectors, mentor and coach individuals at the grassroots level so they can financially useful to themselves as well as uplift their local communities without total dependence on external aid, and move beyond policy discussions to roll out structured programs that deliver tangible results.

President Tinubu’s leadership represents a deep reservoir of political wisdom, economic vision, and strategic governance. True alignment with leadership is not about proximity; it is about absorbing the philosophy, embodying the principles, and translating the vision into impactful outcomes for the nation.

We must not wait for history to appreciate the depth of leadership available to us today. Now is the time for Nigerian youth, leaders, and communities to engage, learn, and leverage these progressive frameworks to build a stronger, more self-reliant nation.

Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convener of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting and political social worker