The Federal Government has officially commenced the 2026 National Youth Conference in Abuja, bringing together about 360 young Nigerians representing the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The conference, which began on Friday, is designed to give young Nigerians a platform to discuss issues affecting their lives and contribute ideas to national development.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the conference was an opportunity for young Nigerians to move beyond discussions and contribute practical solutions to the challenges facing the country.

According to Olawande, young Nigerians are already playing significant roles in business, technology, sports, the creative industry and community development.

He said the government must listen directly to young people rather than designing programmes for them without adequate consultation.

“We must go beyond talks, and we must give young people the space to speak for themselves, debate issues, deal with the challenges they face, and also contribute to the decisions that affect their lives.”»

The conference is themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future.” The programme is expected to focus on governance and political participation, entrepreneurship and job creation, education and skills, technology and innovation, climate action, as well as security and social cohesion.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his message marking the opening, urged participants to speak freely, including when they disagree with government policies, and to offer alternatives.

The Federal Government had earlier announced that the physical conference would bring together one youth delegate from each of Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies, alongside representatives of Nigerians in the diaspora and other stakeholders.

The broader engagement includes a virtual consultation phase before the physical conference in Abuja. Recommendations emerging from the process are expected to be presented to the President and relevant government institutions.

The National Youth Conference is part of the Federal Government’s stated effort to increase youth participation in policy discussions and national decision-making.