FG to convene National Youth Confab In October

The Federal Government will convene the National Youth Confab 2026 in October, with young Nigerians from all 360 federal constituencies expected to participate.

The two-week engagement, themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” will begin with a nationwide virtual consultation before a physical conference in Abuja.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said one youth delegate would be selected from each federal constituency, alongside six representatives of Nigerians in the diaspora and other relevant stakeholders.

Olawande said the confab would provide Nigerians aged 18 to 35 with an opportunity to articulate their concerns, submit policy proposals and develop practical solutions to challenges facing the country.

“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.

The discussions will 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.

Olawande said the initiative was designed to move beyond discussions to concrete outcomes.

“This is an opportunity to listen, engage, cooperate and move from conversation to concrete action,” he said.

The Minister also announced plans to establish a Multi-Stakeholder Youth Confab Taskforce, Youth Confab Impact Index and a youth-led monitoring and accountability framework to track implementation of the confab’s outcomes.

He called on young Nigerians across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the diaspora to participate by submitting their ideas, proposals and experiences.

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman of the National Youth Confab Committee, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, described the initiative as an opportunity to deepen youth participation in national development.

She urged young Nigerians and other stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the process.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital Media, Otega Ogra, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the confab committee for initiating the engagement.

Ogra urged young Nigerians to use the platform to present innovative ideas and practical solutions for the country’s 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.