The Federal Government has announced plans to convene the National Youth Confab 2026 in October, with 366 young Nigerians expected to participate in the process of articulating policy proposals and proffering solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
The figure comprises one youth delegate from each of Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies and six representatives of Nigerians in the diaspora. Other relevant stakeholders are also expected to participate in the engagement.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference held at the Press Gallery, Presidential Villa, Abuja, to herald the conference.
Themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” the two-week engagement will commence with a nationwide virtual consultation, followed by a physical conference in Abuja.
In a statement posted on the official X handle by Omolara Esan
Director, Information and Public Relations,
Olawande said the confab was designed to provide young Nigerians aged 18 to 35 with a platform to articulate their concerns, present policy proposals and contribute practical solutions to national challenges.
“Young Nigerians are not merely leaders of tomorrow; they are partners in nation-building today. Their ideas, experiences and participation are essential to the progress of our country,” he said.
He said deliberations would focus on governance and leadership; economic transformation and job creation; education and skills development; technology and innovation; climate change and energy transition; as well as social harmony and security.
The minister said the initiative was intended to move beyond dialogue to tangible outcomes, stressing that young Nigerians must be involved in crafting solutions to the country’s problems. “This is an opportunity to listen, engage, cooperate and move from conversation to concrete action,” he said.
To ensure that the outcomes of the engagement are sustained and effectively implemented, Olawande disclosed that mechanisms including a Multi-Stakeholder Youth Confab Taskforce, Youth Confab Impact Index and a youth-led monitoring and accountability framework would be established.
He called on young Nigerians across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the diaspora to participate actively by submitting their ideas, proposals and experiences.
“The Federal Ministry of Youth Development is ready to listen, and the Federal Government is ready to engage. We are calling on young Nigerians to step forward and join us in shaping the Nigeria of today and the Nigeria of tomorrow,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Chairman of the National Youth Confab Committee, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, described the confab as an opportunity to deepen youth participation in national development.
She said the engagement would help ensure that young Nigerians were actively involved in shaping solutions to issues affecting their generation.
Keshinro urged young Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to embrace the process and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of its objectives.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, Otega Ogra, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the initiative and members of the National Youth Confab Committee for accepting the responsibility of translating the President’s vision for young Nigerians into a meaningful national engagement.
Ogra said the administration had continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians to occupy critical positions and contribute to national development.
“The present government is betting on young Nigerians to move the country forward. We want you to bring your ideas to the Confab. The door is open for Nigerians to tell us how they want the country to be,” he said.
He urged young Nigerians to use the opportunity to present innovative ideas and practical solutions capable of contributing to the sustainable development of the country.