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By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has opened the 2026 National Youth Confab in Abuja, urging young Nigerians to move beyond discussions and develop practical, measurable solutions to the challenges confronting them.
Declaring the conference open on Thursday at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) Auditorium, Abuja, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the Confab as an important platform for young Nigerians to exchange ideas, identify opportunities and challenges, and contribute to policies and programmes affecting their lives.
Olawande said in a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, on Friday that Nigerian youths remained among the country’s greatest assets, citing their contributions to entrepreneurship, technology, the creative economy, civic engagement, innovation and community development.
He, however, acknowledged challenges relating to employment, skills development, access to finance, education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, peace and security, and access to opportunities.
The Minister therefore called on delegates to move beyond identifying problems and develop realistic recommendations, partnerships and measurable actions that could strengthen government programmes, expand opportunities and improve accountability.
He also urged the private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and youth-led groups to deepen collaboration with government in creating opportunities for young Nigerians across the country.
Olawande assured participants that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development would continue to provide platforms for meaningful youth participation in shaping policies and programmes.
He urged delegates to take ownership of the Confab by engaging, questioning, proposing and collaborating, expressing confidence that the deliberations would produce outcomes capable of being translated into concrete action.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said meaningful youth participation was essential to national development.
She said the Confab provided an opportunity for young Nigerians to contribute to discussions and policies on leadership, governance, employment, entrepreneurship, education, digital skills, peacebuilding and national unity.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Olaseye Nafiu, commended the Federal Government for convening the Confab, describing it as a timely platform for harnessing the ideas, energy and potential of Nigeria’s young population.
He said the significant proportion of young people in Nigeria’s population made their inclusion in national conversations and decision-making processes critical to the country’s development.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, highlighted the use of technology and Artificial Intelligence in capturing, analysing and categorising ideas and concerns presented by young Nigerians during the Confab.
According to him, the initiative would support meaningful youth participation and generate evidence capable of informing policies that reflect the aspirations and expectations of young Nigerians.
Also speaking, the World Bank Lead Agricultural Economist for West and Central Africa, Dr. Hardwick Tchale, described young people as a national asset and stressed the need to harness their skills and potential for national development.
Prof. Magdalene Igbolo, Director, Centre for Gender Studies and Youth Advancement, University of Abuja, highlighted the importance of the revived Commonwealth Youth Programme in strengthening the capacity of youth development professionals.
She said the postgraduate programme was designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage young people and promote professionalisation in the youth development sector.
The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon. Aliyu Idris Zakari, called for sustained youth participation in governance and decision-making, stressing that young Nigerians should be regarded not only as leaders of tomorrow but as active partners in national development today.
Similarly, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, called for greater attention to education, employment, skills development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and youth participation in governance.
He urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the Confab translated into policies and programmes capable of improving the lives of young Nigerians.