Anthony Ailemen
…Promoters keep mum on take-off date
More than eight months after President Bola Tinubu promised a landmark National Youth Conference, the initiative appears stalled, sparking growing fears over its fate, the possibility of politicisation, and eroding credibility among critical youth stakeholders.
In his new year’s day address on January 1, 2025, President Tinubu had pledged to convene a national youth confab within the first quarter of the year—a commitment widely seen as a bid to open a structured dialogue with Nigeria’s burgeoning youth population, many of whom remain jobless, disconnected from the political process and sceptical of traditional institutions.
That optimism was further reinforced on March 10, 2025, when the President inaugurated the Confab Organising Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Describing the event as ‘a great opportunity for the youths,’ President Tinubu declared, “I am ready to listen to you… Just look me in the face and tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way forward. Be frank. We will implement your suggestions so long as they are for the country’s prosperity.”
But as the third quarter of the year draws to a close, the much-anticipated conference has yet to materialise. With no official launch date, the process appears to have lost momentum, feeding public concerns that it may be bogged down by politics, bureaucracy, or even quietly shelved.
According to Blessing Maku, a legal practitioner and human rights advocate, the idea of a national youth confab is long overdue.
“Unlike some African countries like Uganda, with youth seats in their parliaments, Nigeria does not have youth representation in its National Assembly.
“There are countries with youth parliaments backed by constitutions. We lack such structures. So, this confab is needed to give the youth a voice,” she told BusinessDay.
Yet, those same hopes are now being clouded by uncertainty, as many civil society actors fear that political considerations could hijack the initiative, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.
Nigeria’s youths make up over 60% of the population but continue to face staggering unemployment levels.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show youth unemployment hovers above 40%, with millions of educated young Nigerians unable to find meaningful jobs or political representation.
The proposed confab was billed as a platform to not only hear from the youth but also incorporate their voices into national policymaking.
Many saw it as an opportunity to address longstanding grievances around job creation, civic inclusion, and the perception that young Nigerians are largely excluded from decisions that shape their future.
Cynthia Mbamalu, program manager at Yiaga Africa, a non-profit civic group deeply involved in youth engagement, warned of the consequences if the confab is not held within 2025.
“It will be difficult to guarantee non-political interference if the event fails to hold this year,” Mbamalu said. “We believe that where there is the right political will and proper financial support, it will still happen. Having it take place this year will help shield it from politics.”
Samson Itodo, Yiaga Africa’s executive director, is a member of the organising committee. However, the organisation has distanced itself from the responsibility of setting the date, emphasising that it lies solely with the federal government.
“We cannot comment on the issue of when it will take place,” the organisation said. “But we hope it takes place this year. By February 2026, INEC is expected to release the timetable for the 2027 elections. Any youth confab held after that would risk being seen as a political activity, which could reduce credibility and participation.”
Beyond questions of timing, there is also a growing concern about inclusivity. Mbamalu stressed the importance of ensuring that the confab is not dominated by elite or partisan voices.
“We need young people—those under 35—not politicians. Politics will undermine the outcome,” she warned. “The conference must open opportunities for national unity, focus on governance and political representation, and address entrepreneurship, high-tech innovation, artificial intelligence, climate change, agriculture, and security. And it must give a voice to rural and out-of-school youth—not just those in urban centres.”
One of the biggest sticking points, according to her, is implementation. According to her, “A lot of people will lose interest if politics is introduced. Young people want to see their ideas reflected in policy-making. We expect reports from the confab to be implemented,” she said.
Despite the delays, the federal government did at one point appear to be moving forward, as a registration portal was briefly activated at the time, via the Federal Ministry of Youth Development ([email protected]), and a phone line was provided.
When BusinessDay contacted the number, a representative named Joyce Chidoka confirmed that registration had closed.
Attempts to obtain official updates from Ayodele Olawande, who is the minister of Youth Development, were unsuccessful. He referred inquiries to Rinsola Abiola, the Confab’s spokesperson. Repeated calls to her two listed phone numbers went unanswered and diverted to voicemail.
Source: Businessday.ng | Read the Full Story…
