The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has unveiled a new initiative, Nigeria Next, aimed at investing in young Nigerians to drive social and economic change across the country.

In an email, the Foundation’s Nigeria Director, Dr Kole Shettima, said the initiative is focused on fostering digital inclusion, innovation, economic opportunity, civic participation, and supportive government policies for young people.

“I’m emailing today to share news of a new MacArthur Foundation initiative: Nigeria Next,” Shettima wrote, adding that the programme is designed to support young Nigerians as they seek to transform their communities and the wider economy.

According to him, the initiative reflects the Foundation’s commitment to amplifying the voices and potential of youth, who make up a significant portion of Nigeria’s population.

He noted that equipping young people with digital tools and providing platforms for creativity and civic engagement would help unlock their capabilities.

The Nigeria Next strategy, published alongside Shettima’s reflections, highlights the importance of youth in shaping the country’s future, especially as Nigeria moves toward becoming one of the world’s most populous nations.

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The Foundation believes that with the right support, young Nigerians can lead innovation and influence policies that promote inclusive development.

SolaceBase reports that the initiative also draws from years of consultations and collaboration across the Foundation’s programmes, including efforts in governance, technology, and media.

These engagements, which involved stakeholders from cities such as Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Enugu, and Maiduguri, helped identify key challenges and opportunities facing young people.

Shettima explained that the programme is built on the idea of viewing youth not merely as beneficiaries but as active contributors to national development.

He emphasized that Nigeria’s young population—many of whom are digitally connected—are already reshaping civic engagement and driving innovation in sectors such as technology, creative industries, and social advocacy.

In his reflections, he pointed to stories like that of a young content creator from Bauchi, whose participation in online civic movements illustrates both the challenges and potential of Nigeria’s youth.

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Such examples, he said, underscore the need for increased access to digital tools and inclusive opportunities.

While Nigeria Next is still in its early stages, the Foundation expressed optimism about its long-term impact.

Shettima said the goal is to build “a prosperous and creative Nigeria where young people are driving innovation and social and economic change, supported by evidence-based government policies.”

The launch comes amid growing recognition of the role of youth in Nigeria’s development, particularly in the digital space and civic movements, where young voices continue to shape national conversations.