Newly elected President of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Comrade Annum Jethro Terhile, has pledged to partner with federal government agencies, private sector players, and international organizations to tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria through empowerment and skill acquisition programmes.
Speaking shortly after his inauguration alongside the NYC executive members at the weekend in Abuja, Comrade Jethro emphasized that unemployment remains one of the major issues confronting the Nigerian youth.
He was inaugurated by the Dr. Yakubu Shendam-led Board of Trustees (BOT) following his election at the 2025 National Convention of the Congress.
In his acceptance speech, Jethro assured that under his leadership, the NYC would not only work to create jobs but also nurture job creators. According to him, “The future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its youth. An unempowered youth is not only a minus but a danger and threat to the country.”
He stressed that his administration would prioritize collaborations with the government at all levels, reputable development partners, and the private sector to build sustainable youth empowerment programmes.
He highlighted plans that range from vocational training centers to entrepreneurship hubs, technology innovation labs, and agricultural empowerment projects, ensuring that every young Nigerian is carried along regardless of tribe or religion.
Jethro further noted that despite a slight drop in youth unemployment from 8.00 percent to 7.50 percent, a lot more needs to be done to address the challenges faced by young people, including underemployment, limited opportunities, and lack of platforms to showcase their talents.
He described this situation as “the Nigerian youth question,” which must be solved to secure the nation’s future.
He assured youths of an inclusive leadership style that would amplify their voices, value their ideas, and unleash their potential. “To the teeming Nigerian youths: this is your Congress. Your dreams, your struggles, and your aspirations will shape our journey. I promise an inclusive platform where your voices will be heard, your ideas will be valued, and your potential will be unleashed,” Jethro said.
“Together, we will work to ensure government policies align with the needs of our youth, fostering an environment where innovation, creativity and hard work are rewarded.”
He also extended an invitation to stakeholders and partners to join hands with the NYC to provide youths with the resources they need to succeed.
“To my fellow leaders, stakeholders, and partners, I extend a hand of collaboration. Let us unite in building a Nigeria where no youth is left behind, where every young person has the tools to succeed, and where our collective energy transforms challenges into opportunities,” he stated.
Earlier, Dr. Shendam charged the new NYC leadership to negotiate better deals with politicians across party lines ahead of the 2027 elections to improve the welfare and prospects of young Nigerians. He stressed that youth empowerment and access to opportunities must remain at the heart of national policies.
Other speakers at the inauguration praised the process that produced the new leadership of the NYC and encouraged the executives to remain focused on pursuing programmes that would improve the lives of young Nigerians.