By Stephen Simon
The Federal Government has challenged Nigerian youths to develop practical solutions to unemployment, poverty, insecurity and other challenges confronting the country, insisting that the 2026 National Youth Conference must produce recommendations capable of influencing government policies.
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.
The conference, themed, “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” followed virtual consultations involving young Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Olawande said the physical gathering provided an opportunity to translate discussions from the virtual consultations into practical proposals that would improve the lives of young Nigerians.
He identified leadership, governance, employment, education, skills development, technology, climate change, peace, security and national unity as some of the issues raised during the consultations.
The minister urged delegates to examine the challenges critically and develop achievable action plans, stressing that the conference must not become another platform for speeches without concrete results.
He said the President Bola Tinubu administration remained committed to expanding opportunities for young people through education, skills acquisition, business support, technological advancement and job creation.
However, he maintained that government interventions alone could not address the challenges facing young Nigerians without their active participation in decision-making.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Keshinro, urged participants to take ownership of the conference and ensure that its deliberations translated into measurable commitments.
Similarly, the United Nations Population Fund Country Representative, Muriel Mafico, said unemployment, rising living costs, poverty, education, skills development and mental well-being remained major concerns among Nigerian youths.
Mafico urged delegates to focus on workable solutions, assuring them of UNFPA’s continued support for youth participation in policy development.
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, called for increased investment in youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and job creation.
