What you should know about FG’s national youth conference

The Federal Government has officially launched an online registration portal for young Nigerians to participate in the forthcoming National Youth Conference, expected to host 36,000 delegates from across the country. This announcement marks a major step toward inclusive national dialogue, as youth from all 774 local government areas are being invited to engage in shaping public policy.

The conference, which will span 30 days, is a direct response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day address in October 2024, where he pledged to create avenues for youth participation in governance. The President promised that the youth confab would offer young people a platform to propose solutions and contribute to the country’s development.

Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the online portal would serve as a transparent gateway for application, screening, and selection of participants. The process, he noted, will reflect the principles of inclusivity, representation, and meritocracy, as delegates will be drawn from all federal constituencies, states, and geopolitical zones.

Olawande emphasised that this is not a typical Abuja-based summit. Instead, the process will begin with registration, followed by consultations at community, local government, and state levels, allowing young people to discuss issues that affect them directly. Insights gathered from these levels will then shape discussions at the national conference, where outcomes will be presented as policy recommendations.

President Tinubu has already earmarked a 30-day period for the engagement process, and the Ministry of Youth Development has assured Nigerians that feedback from the conference will be forwarded to the executive and legislative arms of government for implementation.

With over 60% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 30, the Federal Government sees this initiative as a pivotal opportunity to connect with young people and foster civic responsibility, national unity, and trust in public institutions.