The Federal Government has urged delegates at the 2026 National Youth Conference to produce practical recommendations capable of addressing unemployment, poverty, insecurity and other challenges affecting young Nigerians.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Wednesday as the physical phase of the conference commenced at the NAF Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” follows nationwide virtual consultations held in October, during which young Nigerians contributed ideas on governance, employment, education, skills development, technology, climate change, security and national unity.
The physical phase is scheduled to run from November 4 to 9, bringing together young delegates, policymakers and other stakeholders to deliberate on proposals that will inform youth-focused policies. The process is expected to culminate in an outcome document for presentation to President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking at the opening, Olawande said the delegates must move beyond discussions and develop clear action plans that could influence government decisions and improve the lives of young Nigerians.
He urged participants to examine the issues raised during the virtual consultations, identify the most pressing challenges and assess proposed solutions based on their practicality and potential impact.
“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.
The minister said the administration of President Bola Tinubu, through its Renewed Hope Agenda, remained committed to expanding opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition, business support, technological advancement and job creation.
He, however, stressed that government interventions would not achieve their full potential without meaningful youth participation in decisions affecting their lives.
Olawande warned delegates against allowing the conference to become another forum for speeches without tangible outcomes, insisting that their recommendations should inform policies and programmes.
“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 said.
He also urged participants to respect divergent opinions, listen to one another and concentrate on workable solutions, assuring them that the ministry would strengthen partnerships to support the implementation of the conference’s outcomes.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, urged delegates to take ownership of the process and ensure their deliberations resulted in practical recommendations, stronger partnerships and measurable commitments.
Keshinro said young Nigerians were not merely the country’s future but an important part of its present, reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to promoting youth inclusion, national unity, accountability and participation in governance.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Muriel Mafico, also challenged the delegates to prioritise solutions over speeches.
Mafico said young people’s concerns must shape government policies and development priorities, citing feedback from a recent UNFPA survey in which respondents identified unemployment, rising living costs, poverty, education, skills development and mental health as major concerns.
“Today, it’s about crafting solutions. It’s not about speeches. Today is about you owning the future,” she said.
She commended the Federal Government for involving young people in the development of the national youth policy, describing their participation as essential to inclusive and sustainable governance.
Mafico assured the delegates of UNFPA’s continued support for platforms that promote meaningful youth participation in decision-making and the implementation of youth-focused policies.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth Development and Community Engagement, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, represented by the committee’s Clerk, Dr Ijeoma Chikwem, commended the organisers for creating a platform for young Nigerians to exchange ideas and contribute to national development.
Adaramodu called for increased investment in youth empowerment, skills acquisition and employment creation, urging young people to embrace entrepreneurship, innovation, technology and responsible citizenship.
He also appealed to government institutions, private businesses, civil society organisations and community leaders to work together to create an enabling environment for young Nigerians.
The conference is part of the Federal Government’s effort to establish a youth-driven policy framework through consultations involving young people across the country’s 360 federal constituencies, six geopolitical zones and the diaspora.
The key test for the initiative will be whether the recommendations receive clear implementation commitments and translate into measurable improvements in employment, education, economic opportunities and youth participation in governance.
