President Bola Tinubu has officially announced plans to organize a 30-day National Youth Conference with the goal of addressing and resolving the numerous challenges faced by young people across Nigeria. This ambitious initiative is set to provide a comprehensive platform for the country’s youth to express their concerns, propose solutions, and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during the President’s address to the nation, as part of the celebrations marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day. In his speech, Tinubu underscored the importance of involving the youth in nation-building and reiterated his administration’s commitment to tackling youth-related challenges head-on through dialogue and collaboration.
During his address, Tinubu emphasized that the upcoming conference would be an unprecedented gathering, bringing together young people from every region of Nigeria. This assembly aims to create a space for youth to raise their concerns and work collaboratively on actionable solutions to some of the most pressing issues affecting their generation. He further noted that the specific details regarding the structure of the conference, including the selection process for delegates, would be made available soon to ensure inclusivity and wide representation.
In his speech, Tinubu highlighted the importance of the 30-day event as a crucial platform for young Nigerians to engage in critical dialogues about their roles and responsibilities in nation-building. The conference is not just an event, but a symbolic opportunity for the youth to be part of the decision-making process and to voice their aspirations and challenges in a structured manner.
The President also outlined that the 30-day event would serve as a collaborative platform where young people could work together on finding solutions to key issues, including but not limited to education, employment, technological innovation, security, and social justice. These are areas that directly impact the lives of millions of young Nigerians and are central to the future growth and development of the country.
Tinubu expressed his hope and belief in the potential of the youth, saying, “As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanise their creative energy towards a better future.” He added, “We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognising that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects.”
In line with this sentiment, Tinubu explained that the National Youth Conference would be instrumental in addressing the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting young people, who currently make up over 60 per cent of Nigeria’s population. He emphasized that this demographic must be at the forefront of shaping Nigeria’s future, as their voices and contributions are essential to ensuring a prosperous and sustainable nation.
“It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow,” the President remarked. He stressed that the government would prioritize youth engagement during the conference and make sure their input is incorporated into national policies.
The 30-day conference, according to the President, will serve as a forum for young people to unite and collaboratively develop solutions to the critical issues they face. These issues include education reform, job creation, technological advancement, security challenges, and the pursuit of social justice. The platform will also provide opportunities for young people to share innovative ideas that can drive Nigeria’s development.
Regarding the structure and logistics of the conference, Tinubu assured that the modalities of the event, as well as the process for selecting delegates, would be designed in close consultation with youth representatives. This step is aimed at ensuring transparency, fairness, and equal representation across the various regions and communities in Nigeria. Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the aspirations of young Nigerians would be at the heart of the conference’s deliberations.
In conclusion, Tinubu reassured Nigerians that the government would carefully consider the recommendations and outcomes of the conference, implementing them wherever possible to drive inclusive growth and national unity. “The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria,” he said.