The Federal Government has called on young Nigerians participating in the 2026 National Youth Confab to move beyond discussions and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the country.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, made the call while declaring the conference open at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Auditorium in Abuja.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the ministry, Omolara Esan, Olawande described the confab as more than a gathering for discussions, saying it offers young Nigerians an opportunity to exchange ideas, examine challenges and opportunities, and contribute to policies and programmes affecting them.
The minister identified young Nigerians as a major national asset, citing their contributions to entrepreneurship, technology, the creative economy, civic engagement, innovation and community development.
He, however, acknowledged the challenges confronting the youth, including unemployment, skills development, access to finance, education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, peace and security, and access to opportunities
Olawande urged participants to go beyond identifying the challenges by developing realistic recommendations, partnerships and measurable actions capable of improving government programmes and strengthening accountability.
He also called on the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and youth-led organisations to deepen collaboration with government to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The minister assured participants that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development would continue to create platforms for young people to participate in shaping policies and programmes affecting their lives.
He urged delegates to “take full ownership of the Confab by engaging, questioning, proposing and collaborating,” expressing confidence that the deliberations would produce outcomes that could be translated into meaningful action.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, also emphasised the importance of meaningful youth participation in national development
Keshinro said the confab provides an avenue for young Nigerians to contribute to discussions and policies on leadership, governance, jobs, entrepreneurship, education, digital skills, peacebuilding and national unity.
She urged participants to move beyond discussions and translate their ideas into “practical and measurable actions.”
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Olaseye Nafiu, commended the Federal Government for organising the confab, describing it as a timely platform for harnessing the ideas, energy and potential of Nigeria’s young population.
Nafiu said the significant proportion of young people in the country made their inclusion in national conversations and decision-making processes critical to national development.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, highlighted the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence in capturing, analysing and categorising ideas and concerns raised by participants
He said the initiative would support meaningful youth participation while generating evidence that could help shape policies reflecting the aspirations and expectations of young Nigerians.
The Lead Agricultural Economist for West and Central Africa at the World Bank, Dr Hardwick Tchale, described young people as a national asset and stressed the need to harness their skills and potential for national development.
Also speaking, the Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja, Prof. Magdalene Igbolo, highlighted the importance of the revived Commonwealth Youth Programme in strengthening the capacity of youth development professionals.
Igbolo said the postgraduate programme was designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to effectively engage young people and promote the professionalisation of the youth development sector.
The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Aliyu Idris Zakari, called for sustained youth participation in governance and decision-making
Zakari said young Nigerians should not be viewed merely as leaders of tomorrow but as active partners and contributors to national development today.
The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, also called for greater attention to education, employment, skills development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and youth participation in governance.
Afeez urged the government to ensure that the outcomes of the confab translate into policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of young Nigerians
