2027: What Tinubu Told City Boy Movement About Their Future Will Interest Young Nigerians

President Bola Tinubu has told members of the City Boy Movement that Nigeria’s future belongs to young people, urging them to remain involved in the country’s development as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Tinubu spoke on Monday at the State House in Abuja during an engagement with the City Boy Movement and the Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN) support group, where he praised the organisations for mobilising support for his administration.

 

“The future of this country does not belong to me, and it does not belong to my generation. It belongs to you,” Tinubu said, according to a report by Vanguard.

 

The President also commended members of the City Boy Movement for their involvement in defending his administration and promoting its policies in markets, on campuses, at motor parks and on social media.

 

He described the group’s activities as a form of organised political mobilisation, saying it had established structures across states, local government areas, wards and polling units.

 

According to Tinubu, the movement had also introduced a call centre to engage young Nigerians and a community outreach programme known as CityBoy Care.

 

“You did not just gather people; you built a structure, millions of real, verifiable members,” he said, according to Vanguard.

 

However, the membership figure and the claimed nationwide reach were presented as the President’s assessment. The report did not provide independently audited figures to establish the movement’s membership.

 

‘You’re campaigning for your own future’

In a related report, PUNCH quoted Tinubu as telling members of the movement that their political activities should not be seen as serving his personal ambition alone.

 

“You are not campaigning for me. You are campaigning for your own future,” the President said.

 

He urged the group to consider the implications of the 2027 election for young Nigerians, expressing confidence that the country’s economy would continue to grow under his administration.

 

Tinubu also stressed the importance of Nigeria’s interests ahead of individual political ambitions.

 

“Nigeria must win this election before any candidate does,” he said, according to PUNCH.

 

The comments come as political groups intensify efforts to mobilise support for the 2027 general elections, with the City Boy Movement working to promote Tinubu’s re-election.

 

The President’s remarks place young Nigerians at the centre of his appeal to the movement, although the statements do not, by themselves, establish what specific policies or opportunities will be made available to young people.

 

Tinubu defends fuel subsidy removal

The President also defended his decision to remove the petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigeria could not afford to return to the previous arrangement.

 

According to PUNCH, Tinubu compared calls for the restoration of the subsidy to asking Moses to return to Egypt, maintaining that the country would face financial difficulties if it resumed the payments.

 

“With your ideas, I came and I removed subsidy the first day. No, Nigeria will go bankrupt. There is nothing left to pay subsidy,” he said, according to the publication.

 

The removal of petrol subsidy has remained a major issue in the debate over the administration’s economic policies, particularly because of its implications for transport costs, household spending and the prices of goods and services.

 

Tinubu’s latest comments indicate that he remains committed to the policy despite calls from critics for a change of direction.

 

His assertion about the country’s financial position, however, represents his assessment of the policy and should be distinguished from an independent evaluation of Nigeria’s fiscal position.

 

President praises Seyi Tinubu

Tinubu also praised his son, Seyi Tinubu, who is associated with the City Boy Movement, for his role in organising young people.

 

According to PUNCH, the President acknowledged the work his son had done but urged him to intensify his efforts.

 

“I have watched what you’ve started with City Boy,” Tinubu said, before encouraging him to do more.

 

The President’s remarks came amid the movement’s activities to build grassroots support for his re-election campaign.

 

Seyi’s involvement has attracted attention because of his relationship with the President and his role in the political support group.

 

What the message means for young Nigerians

Tinubu’s appeal to the City Boy Movement comes at a time when political parties and support groups are seeking to engage young voters ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

By telling members that they are campaigning for their own future, the President linked their political activities to the country’s long-term direction and the opportunities available to the next generation.

 

However, whether the administration’s economic policies will deliver the future he described remains a matter for assessment based on measurable outcomes, including employment opportunities, the cost of living, access to education and the broader economic conditions facing young Nigerians.

 

For now, Tinubu has made his message clear to the movement: he wants its members to remain organised, defend his administration’s policies and continue their mobilisation ahead of the next election.