Tinubu Orders Action On Youth Confab Recommendations

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Youth Development and other relevant agencies to draw up a framework for implementing recommendations from the 2026 National Youth Conference, amid concerns that government conferences often end without concrete follow-through.

Tinubu said the recommendations from the gathering must not become another government report “gathering dust on shelves” and should lead to measurable results for young Nigerians.

The president gave the directive at the closing ceremony of the conference in Abuja. His address was delivered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

He directed the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to work with relevant government agencies, state governments and private sector stakeholders to produce an implementation framework with clear priorities, assigned responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable indicators of progress.

Tinubu also said young Nigerians should remain involved in implementing and monitoring the recommendations.

“You must not be invited to the table only when decisions are being discussed. You must also have a place at the table when those decisions are being implemented,” he said.

The president acknowledged concerns among young Nigerians over unemployment, the rising cost of living, access to education, business opportunities and insecurity, saying their expectations for a country where hard work is rewarded and opportunities are accessible were legitimate.

He said his administration was addressing some of the challenges through investments in education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Tinubu listed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent programme, YouthCred and the Nigerian Youth Academy among government initiatives targeted at young Nigerians.

He, however, acknowledged that the economic reforms introduced by his administration had come with sacrifices and said young people deserved to see tangible opportunities emerge from the difficult decisions.

The president said skills training must translate into employment, innovation should attract investment, and young entrepreneurs should have continued access to financing.

He also called for the inclusion of young women, persons with disabilities and youths in rural communities in implementing policies arising from the conference.

Tinubu urged young Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process and not allow ethnic, religious and political differences to undermine national unity.