Tinubu Tasks City Boy Movement With Mobilising Nigerian Youths for 2027 Election

President Bola Tinubu has urged the City Boy Movement and other youth support groups to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the poll as a decision that will shape the future of young Nigerians.

Tinubu made the call on Monday at an event organised by the City Boy Movement in partnership with the Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria Movement at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The gathering, tagged “Together Till 2027: An Evening with the Original City Boy,” brought together supporters working to secure another presidential term for the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader.

The president defended his administration’s economic reforms, saying he inherited serious financial challenges, including outstanding obligations to airlines and declining reserves. He maintained that difficult decisions were necessary to prevent the country from heading towards bankruptcy, particularly through the cost of the petrol subsidy.

“I came, and I removed the subsidy on my first day,” Tinubu said, rejecting calls to restore the policy. He acknowledged that the reforms had increased hardship for many Nigerians but thanked supporters who continued to defend his government despite public criticism.

Tinubu also pointed to youth-focused programmes as evidence of his administration’s efforts to expand opportunities. He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying more than one million students had received support, and highlighted the Credit Corps initiative, which he said was designed to help young workers access items such as laptops, vehicles, motorcycles and solar power systems through credit arrangements.

Turning to political organisation, Tinubu praised the City Boy Movement for developing structures across states, local government areas and polling units. He urged its organisers to establish a call centre that would engage young Nigerians regularly, listen to their concerns and improve communication between the movement and its supporters.

The president also commended the APC youth wing for helping expand party membership and spread its message through grassroots campaigns. He acknowledged supporters in Nigeria and abroad, while encouraging young people to take an active role in shaping the country’s political and economic direction.

“You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future, and that future is renewed hope,” Tinubu told the gathering. He also praised his son, Seyi Tinubu, patron of the City Boy Movement, for organising young supporters and engaging with their concerns.

The mobilisation drive comes as political groups begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Tinubu’s appeal places young voters and grassroots networks at the centre of his re-election strategy, while his administration continues to face scrutiny over the cost of living and the effects of its economic policies. Whether the movement can translate its nationwide structures into electoral support will become clearer as the campaign period approaches.