The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development on Monday unveiled the official digital portal for the upcoming Nigeria Youth Conference, also known as the National Youth Confab, as part of efforts to foster youth engagement in policymaking and development in the country.
The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who disclosed who described this at a media parley stressed that initiative is not just a mere conference but “a generational turning point, a national movement, and a call to action”
The Minister said the confab with the theme; “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” will be inclusive, non-partisan, and youth-led.
He stressed that the newly launched portal allows young Nigerians, including those in the diaspora, to register, contribute ideas, and access real-time updates.
“This is more than just a conference. It is a generational turning point…a platform for us to listen, learn and lead together.”
President Bola Tinubu had first declared the 30-day Youth Confab you in his Independence Day speech on October 1, 2024, projecting a February 2025 timeline. The initiative gained momentum on March 10, when the President inaugurated a 44-member planning committee at the State House in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the confab will proceed in several distinctive phases:
Constituency-Level Consultations: Engaging youth in each of Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies.
Zonal Sessions: Consolidating regional input across the six geopolitical zones.
Diaspora Involvement: Hosting virtual sessions for Nigerian youth abroad.
National Conference in Abuja: Synthesizing recommendations into actionable policy
Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, chairman of the National Planning Committee, added that the confab is expected to host 36,000 delegates, with rigorous selection to ensure transparency and merit-based representation.
The confab’s agenda encompasses six vital thematic areas:
Governance & Political Participation
Economic Transformation & Job Creation
Education & Skills Development
Technology & Innovation
Climate Change & Energy Transition
Social Inclusion & Security
These pillars reflect Nigeria’s most pressing challenges, with youth poised to drive progress. The portal enables young people not just to attend, but to actively shape policy through submissions and virtual engagement.
The portal is now live, with registrations open until June 30, 2025.
Submissions of policy ideas, memos, and participation requests are accepted via designated online spaces.
Final delegate selection will emphasize 50:50 gender parity, inclusion of persons with disabilities, and youth aged 18–35, with a 10% reserved for older Nigerians fo so inter-generational dialogue.
“Move from protest to policy, from problems to solutions, from challenges to progress.” As Minister Olawande aptly put it.
“Young Nigerians are encouraged to visit the portal, register by June 30, and begin participating in a national movement.
