The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is planning to create a forum for Nigerian Youths to ‘share their experiences, express their concerns, exchange ideas, develop practical solutions and contribute meaningfully to policies that will shape our collective future.’
Minister of Youth Development, Honourable Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday at a press briefing ahead of the event tagged National Youth Confab slated for next month.
The Minister of Youth Development told State House correspondents that the two weeks national engagement will combine a nationwide virtual consultation with a physical conference in Abuja.
‘Under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Federal Government recognises that the future of Nigeria cannot be discussed without the active participation of young people.
‘With over 70 per cent of our population below the age of 35, young Nigerians are not merely leaders of tomorrow; they are partners in nation-building today. Their ideas, experiences and participation are essential to the progress of our country.
‘It is against this background that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and in collaboration with youth networks and other stakeholders, will convene the National Youth Confab in October 2026.’
The Minister assured that the youth summit with the theme, ‘Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,’ would not be a mere talk shop, assuring that resolutions reached would be considered in policy formulation and implementation.
‘It is important to state that the work will not end when delegates leave Abuja.
‘Systems will be established to support the implementation of the recommendations and sustain constructive engagement between Nigerian youth and decision-makers.
‘These mechanisms will include a Multi- Stakeholder Youth Confab Taskforce, a Youth Confab Impact Index, sustained youth policy dialogues, and a youth-led monitoring and accountability framework.
‘They will enable us to track commitments, measure progress and ensure that the outcomes of the Confab remain relevant beyond the conference.
‘We understand that young Nigerians do not need another document that will be produced and forgotten. They need action, opportunities, measurable commitments and institutions that listen and respond to their needs.’