The Federal Government has convened 360 delegates in Abuja for the physical phase of the 2026 National Youth Conference (Youth Confab) to develop recommendations on Nigeria’s future and youth participation in governance.
The Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande, said on Wednesday that the six-day conference would translate discussions from earlier virtual consultations into actionable recommendations to guide government policies and programmes.
Olawande said the physical phase with the theme “Next Gen Nigeria, Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future”, followed a two-week virtual engagement, which commenced on Oct. 2, across the six geopolitical zones, with all states represented.
He said the virtual consultations generated proposals on leadership and governance, employment, economic opportunities, education, skills development, technology, innovation, climate change, peace, security and national unity.
The minister urged delegates to critically examine the issues raised, identify major challenges facing young Nigerians and develop clear, practical and achievable action plans for presentation to President Bola Tinubu and other government leaders.
He said the recommendations should guide decisions across the executive, legislature and judiciary, while ensuring that young people had meaningful opportunities to influence policies affecting their lives.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition, entrepreneurship, technology, business support and job creation.
Read Also:Protect infrastructure along Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway,Otu’s aide tasks youths
FEATURE: 20 Years of Compassion: Bringing Light to Widows Living in December Shadows
2027: Hamzat unveils ‘My Lagos Dream’, targets jobs, infrastructure, security
“I urge delegates to participate actively, respect divergent views, establish partnerships and remain focused on solutions,” Olawande said.
He also stressed that the conference must produce concrete outcomes rather than end with discussions.
He said the delegates were selected through a registration and screening process designed to ensure transparency and broad representation.
The minister explained that participants included representatives of student organisations, youth groups, ethnic associations, civil society organisations and persons with disabilities.
He added that young Nigerians from different parts of the country had participated in the virtual consultations, while those in the diaspora could also contribute online.
Olawande urged delegates to take their responsibility seriously, noting that the decisions and recommendations from the conference could affect millions of young Nigerians who were not physically present.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Keshinro, commended the delegates for their patience, commitment and contributions during the virtual consultations and physical screening process.
Keshinro said the conference provided an inclusive platform for young Nigerians to express their aspirations, identify challenges and contribute ideas towards developing a responsive national youth development agenda.
She said more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population was below 30 years, describing young people as the country’s greatest assets.
She stressed the need to create opportunities for decent employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills and leadership development to enable young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Keshinro urged delegates to ensure that the six-day conference produced practical recommendations, stronger partnerships and measurable commitments that would promote inclusion, national unity, accountability and active youth participation in governance.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with stakeholders to translate the recommendations into meaningful outcomes.(NAN)
