The Federal Government on Thursday said it will convene the National Youth Confab 2026 in October, with one youth delegate expected from each of Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies, alongside six representatives of Nigerians in the diaspora and other stakeholders.

Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing ahead of the conference at the Press Gallery, Presidential Villa.

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

Olawande said the Confab is designed to provide young Nigerians aged 18 to 35 with a platform to articulate their concerns, present policy proposals and contribute practical solutions to the challenges confronting the nation.

He said: “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.”

Olawande explained that deliberations at the Confab would focus on key areas, including 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.

He emphasised that the initiative was intended to move beyond dialogue to tangible outcomes, stating: “This is an opportunity to listen, engage, cooperate and move from conversation to concrete action.”

The Minister further 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 to ensure that the outcomes of the Confab are sustained and effectively implemented.

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

Olawande added, “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.”

In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Chairman of the National Youth Confab Committee, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, described the Confab as an important opportunity to deepen youth participation in national development and ensure that young Nigerians are actively involved in shaping solutions to issues affecting their generation.

She urged young Nigerians and relevant stakeholders to embrace the process and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of the objectives of the Confab.

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 noted that the present administration had continued to create opportunities for young Nigerians to occupy critical positions and contribute to national development.

He said: “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 urged young Nigerians to seize the opportunity provided by the Confab to present innovative ideas and practical solutions capable of contributing to the sustainable development of the country.