President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to immediately begin implementing the resolutions of the 2026 National Youth Conference, insisting that the recommendations must translate into concrete government actions and measurable outcomes.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday, Nov. 9, at the closing ceremony of the conference held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. He was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
The president directed the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, the private sector and development partners to develop a practical implementation framework.
He said the framework must establish clear priorities, assign responsibilities, set realistic timelines and provide measurable indicators to track progress.
Tinubu also called for young Nigerians to remain actively involved in implementing and monitoring the conference recommendations, stressing that their participation should extend beyond consultations and deliberations.
“The real test of this Conference begins after today. I do not want the recommendations of this Conference to become another report gathering dust on government shelves. I want them to become a guide for action,” he said in an address delivered by Abbas.
The president said young people should have a place in decision-making processes and participate in determining how the recommendations are translated into policies and programmes.
He acknowledged challenges confronting Nigerian youths, including unemployment, the rising cost of living, limited access to education and business opportunities, and insecurity.
Tinubu highlighted government initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent programme, YouthCred and the Nigerian Youth Academy, saying the priority was to ensure that skills training translated into employment, innovation attracted investment and young entrepreneurs gained better access to finance.
Earlier, Olawande disclosed that the conference had produced an 18-point action agenda covering six priority areas.
He said the recommendations followed nationwide virtual consultations and physical deliberations involving youth representatives from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The minister said the ministry would work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the proposals translated into policies, programmes and opportunities for young people.
He added that the recommendations would be pursued through relevant executive, legislative and judicial channels to secure the necessary institutional support.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, urged young Nigerians to contribute more actively to shaping the country’s economic future.
Oyedele said investment, production and job creation were essential to translating economic progress into tangible benefits for citizens. He also warned that negative perceptions about Nigeria could discourage investment and limit employment opportunities.
The National Youth Conference was convened to provide a platform for young Nigerians at home and abroad to discuss national challenges and propose solutions on governance, economic development and nation-building.
Its physical phase began on Nov. 4, following virtual consultations held between Oct. 2 and 21 across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
With the conference concluded, attention now shifts to the government’s implementation framework and whether the 18-point action agenda will produce identifiable policy changes, funding commitments and opportunities for young Nigerians.
Leave a comment