President Bola Tinubu has instructed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to convert resolutions from the 2026 National Youth Conference into practical government policies, demanding verifiable outcomes and strict institutional accountability. The directive was issued during the closing ceremony of the summit held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, where the President was represented by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Details of the mandate were contained in a statement released by Nwachukwu Christian, Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations for the ministry.
Under the directive, Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande is expected to collaborate with relevant government agencies, state administrations, private sector entities, and development partners to formulate a comprehensive execution framework. This implementation strategy must feature defined priorities, assigned duties, realistic schedules, and verifiable performance indicators to track progress across participating public institutions. Furthermore, the President insisted that young citizens must play an integral role in monitoring and executing these policies rather than merely participating in preliminary consultations.
What did the President emphasize regarding youth inclusion?
President Tinubu stressed that the true test of the summit lies in its execution, warning that the final report must not be left to gather dust on official shelves. He noted that young citizens deserve active roles in driving government decisions that impact their future. While acknowledging prevailing socioeconomic difficulties such as unemployment, high living costs, limited academic financing, and security challenges, he maintained that current federal interventions are designed to expand opportunities. Mentioned initiatives included the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent scheme, YouthCred, and the Nigerian Youth Academy, though he underscored the necessity for these programmes to yield tangible employment and entrepreneurial growth.
How will the conference outcomes be executed?
Speaking earlier, Minister Ayodele Olawande disclosed that the summit generated an 18-point action plan spanning six critical areas, following extensive virtual and physical consultations nationwide. He noted that the recommendations would be channeled through executive, legislative, and judicial frameworks to secure necessary institutional backing. Delivering the keynote address, the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, encouraged youths to channel their energy into constructive innovation while cautioning against negative narratives that could deter investments and hinder job creation. The conference, convened by the current administration, brought together participants from within the country and the diaspora to deliberate on critical issues affecting national development.