FG urges youth confab delegates to propose actionable recommendations

The Federal Government has urged delegates to the 2026 National Youth Conference to develop actionable recommendations capable of addressing unemployment, poverty, insecurity and other challenges confronting young Nigerians.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Wednesday at the commencement of the physical phase of the conference, held at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites, Abuja, with the theme, “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future.”

Olawande said the physical phase, which followed virtual consultations involving young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was an opportunity to translate discussions into practical proposals that could influence government policies and programmes.

He said the virtual consultations had generated contributions on leadership and governance, employment and economic opportunities, education, skills development, technology and innovation, climate change, peace, security and national unity.

The minister urged the delegates to critically examine the issues raised during the consultations, identify the most pressing challenges and develop solutions capable of producing measurable improvements in the lives of young Nigerians.

He said, “Our responsibility now is to carefully examine the issues raised and the proposals received during the virtual consultations. We must identify the most serious challenges, review the solutions already proposed, and develop clear, practical and achievable action plans that can guide government decisions and bring real improvements to the lives of Nigerian youth.”

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to expanding opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition, business support, technological advancement and job creation.

Olawande, however, stressed that government interventions alone were insufficient without meaningful youth participation in decisions affecting their lives.

He urged the delegates to ensure that the conference produced recommendations that would inform youth-focused policies and programmes, rather than end as another talk shop.

The minister said, “We are not here just to speak to ourselves. We are here to help shape decisions that will affect millions of young Nigerians who are not in this room. That is a duty we must take seriously.”

He also urged participants to listen to one another, accommodate divergent opinions and remain focused on practical solutions, assuring them that the ministry would strengthen partnerships to implement the conference’s outcomes.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, urged delegates to take ownership of the conference and ensure that their deliberations translated into practical recommendations, stronger partnerships and measurable commitments.

Keshinro expressed appreciation to Nigerian youths for their patience, sacrifices and commitment to building a better country, stressing that young people were not merely the future of Nigeria but an integral part of its present.

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She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to translate the conference’s outcomes into concrete actions that would promote youth inclusion, national unity, accountability and participation in governance.

Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund Country Representative, Muriel Mafico, described the conference as an opportunity for young Nigerians to take ownership of their future and contribute to shaping Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.

Mafico said the engagement should focus on developing solutions rather than delivering speeches, stressing that the concerns of young people must inform government policies and development priorities.

She cited feedback from a recent UNFPA survey in which young people identified unemployment, the rising cost of living, poverty, education, skills development, mental health and emotional well-being as some of their major concerns.

She said, “Today, it’s about crafting solutions. It’s not about speeches. Today is about you owning the future. It’s about recognition of what lies ahead of us.”

The UNFPA representative commended the FG for involving young people in developing the national youth policy, describing the consultation process as an important demonstration of inclusive leadership.

She said UNFPA would continue to support platforms that amplify young people’s voices and ensure their participation in decision-making beyond tokenism.

Mafico added that international experience had shown that policies and reforms were more sustainable and inclusive when young people were directly involved in shaping them.

She urged the delegates to speak confidently and develop workable recommendations, assuring them of UNFPA’s support in implementing the national youth policy and the outcomes of the 2026 conference.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Youth Development and Community Engagement, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, represented by the committee’s Clerk, Dr Ijeoma Chikwem, commended the organisers for providing a platform for young Nigerians to exchange ideas, strengthen their leadership capacities and contribute to national development.

Adaramodu called for greater investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and employment creation, urging young people to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and responsible citizenship.

He also called on the government, private sector, civil society organisations and community leaders to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for young Nigerians to thrive.