The Nigerian Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has conveyed the Federal Government’s intent to engage Nigerian youth living abroad in an upcoming 30-day Youth Confab. This initiative, announced by President Bola Tinubu during his Independence Day speech on October 1, 2024, aims to involve young Nigerians—who make up over 60% of the population—in addressing various societal challenges. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that the confab would enable youth to formulate solutions concerning education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. The government is currently finalizing details regarding the confab’s framework, and information about these will be released in weeks to come.
Olawande elaborated on the ongoing discussions with key stakeholders to devise the specifics of the confab. Emphasizing inclusivity, he mentioned that the event would gather youth from diverse backgrounds—rural and urban areas alike—to collectively exchange ideas and strategies tailored for Nigeria’s needs. He reiterated that the delegation selection and the event’s modalities would be shaped through dialogues with young people’s representatives, thereby ensuring the confab centers around their aspirations and solutions. The Minister’s comments reflect a commitment to ensuring that the voices of all Nigerian youth, regardless of their location, are accounted for in the deliberations.
Additionally, Olawande mentioned the government’s eagerness to include the diaspora in the confab, allowing them to share insights based on their experiences. While the focus will primarily be on local youth participation, the presence of Nigerian youths abroad is seen as invaluable for the conference’s objectives. The Minister expressed hope that including experienced individuals from the diaspora could bring innovative approaches and solutions to the pressing issues at hand. This broadened perspective aims to enrich the dialogue during the confab, steering the conversations toward actionable resolutions rather than merely identifying challenges.
The Minister also revealed their strategy to implement a prompt commencement of the confab. He described the upcoming event as “quick and fast” to ensure swift actions following the conference’s conclusions. Olawande committed to releasing detailed guidelines about the confab soon, indicating a timeline expectation within the next two to three weeks. He emphasized that their goal is not only to discuss existing problems but to concentrate on actionable solutions that would benefit the youth and the nation as a whole.
Inclusivity and transformative discussion are at the core of the planning for the Youth Confab. The government envisions utilizing various platforms, including social media, to engage a broader audience of young people. By incorporating ideas from all corners of Nigeria, Olawande aims to foster a collaborative environment where innovative solutions can arise organically. This initiative aligns with a broader governmental objective of empowering youth, reinforcing their roles as key stakeholders in nation-building, and addressing systemic issues affecting their future.
In summation, the proposed 30-day Youth Confab represents a significant effort by the Nigerian government to actively involve its youth in shaping the future of their country. With promising plans to connect with young Nigerians at home and abroad, the government strives to create a comprehensive dialogue focused on actionable solutions. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative engagement, this initiative could pave the way for transformative changes that echo the aspirations, concerns, and potential of the nation’s youth, ultimately contributing to a better Nigeria.
