The Federal Government has begun the physical phase of the 2026 National Youth Conference, urging young Nigerians to develop practical recommendations that could shape future policies and create more opportunities in employment, skills development and entrepreneurship.
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The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Wednesday at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja. The conference, themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” followed virtual consultations involving young people across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Olawande said the physical gathering was intended to turn contributions from the consultations into workable proposals capable of influencing government decisions. Discussions have covered leadership and governance, employment, economic opportunities, education, skills acquisition, technology, innovation, climate change, peace, security and national unity.
The minister asked delegates to identify the most urgent challenges facing young Nigerians and develop achievable action plans with measurable results. He said the proposals should guide government decisions and improve young people’s lives.
He added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to expanding opportunities through education, skills acquisition, business support, technological advancement and job creation. However, he said government interventions would not be sufficient without meaningful youth participation in decisions affecting them.
Olawande warned delegates against allowing the conference to become another talk shop. He said the discussions must produce recommendations capable of influencing youth-focused policies and programmes, including practical responses to unemployment, poverty and insecurity.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, also urged participants to take ownership of the process. She said their deliberations should result in practical recommendations, stronger partnerships and measurable commitments. Keshinro described young people as an important part of Nigeria’s present, not merely its future.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Muriel Mafico, said the conference offered young Nigerians an opportunity to shape the country’s future. She urged delegates to focus on solutions rather than speeches and ensure young people’s concerns influence public policies.
Mafico cited a recent UNFPA survey which identified unemployment, the rising cost of living, poverty, education, skills development, mental health and emotional well-being among young people’s major concerns. She said policies were more sustainable when young people participated directly in shaping them.
She commended the Federal Government for involving youths in developing the national youth policy and reaffirmed UNFPA’s support for youth participation and implementation of the conference outcomes.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development and Community Engagement, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, represented by the committee’s Clerk, Dr Ijeoma Chikwem, called for greater investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and employment creation. He urged young people to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and responsible citizenship.
For young Nigerians seeking support, the conference could influence future interventions, but participation in the discussions does not automatically qualify anyone for funding, training or employment from government.
What happens next
Delegates are expected to consolidate the virtual and physical consultations into recommendations for government consideration. The Ministry of Youth Development has pledged to strengthen partnerships to support the outcomes. However, no new grant, loan, recruitment exercise or application window was announced at the conference. Any future youth programmes will depend on decisions and implementation plans that emerge from the recommendations.
