TINUBU ORDERS IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF YOUTH CONFAB RESOLUTIONS, WARNS AGAINST ABANDONING REPORT ON GOVERNMENT SHELVES

 

President demands action-oriented framework, measurable results as 2026 National Youth Conference produces 18-point agenda for youth development

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to immediately commence the implementation of resolutions reached at the 2026 National Youth Conference, declaring that the outcome of the historic gathering must translate into tangible opportunities and measurable results for Nigerian youths.

The President, who gave the directive on Monday at the closing ceremony of the conference held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, warned against allowing the recommendations to become another government document without practical implementation.

Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, specifically directed the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, the private sector and development partners to establish a comprehensive implementation framework.

According to the President, the framework must contain clearly defined priorities, assigned responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable performance indicators to ensure accountability and effective delivery.

Emphasising the importance of sustained youth participation, Tinubu insisted that young Nigerians must not be restricted to consultations and policy discussions but must also be actively involved in implementing and monitoring the resolutions.

"The real test of this conference begins after today. I do not want the recommendations of this conference to become another report gathering dust on government shelves. I want them to become a guide for action," the President declared.

He further maintained that young Nigerians must have a place at the decision-making table beyond the consultation stage.

"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 added.

Acknowledging the numerous challenges confronting Nigerian youths, including unemployment, rising living costs, limited access to education and business opportunities, as well as insecurity, the President reaffirmed his administration's commitment to creating an enabling environment for young people to thrive.

He highlighted several government-backed initiatives designed to expand opportunities for young Nigerians, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, YouthCred and the Nigerian Youth Academy.

However, Tinubu stressed that the success of these interventions must be measured by their actual impact on the lives of beneficiaries.

He emphasised that skills acquisition must lead to employment, innovation must attract investment, and young entrepreneurs must enjoy improved access to financing and business opportunities.

Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed that the 2026 National Youth Conference had produced an 18-point action agenda covering six priority areas.

The recommendations emerged from nationwide virtual consultations and physical deliberations involving youth representatives from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

Olawande explained that the conference was conceived to strengthen the participation of young Nigerians in national decision-making and provide them with a credible platform to contribute to policies shaping the country's future.

He assured participants that the ministry would work towards transforming the recommendations into actionable government policies, programmes and opportunities.

"For the first time in the history of this country, the youth can feel the government, see the government, and touch the government," the minister stated.

He further disclosed that the recommendations would be pursued through relevant executive, legislative and judicial channels, with the ministry engaging stakeholders to secure the necessary institutional support.

In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, challenged Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in shaping the country's economic direction and strengthening investor confidence.

Oyedele cautioned against negative perceptions and distorted narratives about Nigeria, warning that such developments could discourage investment, weaken economic confidence and ultimately reduce employment and business opportunities for young people.

"A factory that is not built means jobs that are not created," he observed.

He urged the delegates to embrace constructive engagement, innovation and practical solutions to national challenges, stressing that economic progress must translate into increased investment, production, job creation and shared prosperity.

The 2026 National Youth Conference was convened by the Tinubu administration to bring together young Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to deliberate on critical national issues, particularly youth participation in governance, economic development and nation-building.

President Tinubu first announced plans for the month-long conference during his Independence Day address in October 2024, describing it as a platform for addressing the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting Nigerian youths.

The physical phase of the conference was declared open by Minister Ayodele Olawande on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, with delegates drawn from all federal constituencies across the country.

It followed a three-week virtual conference held between October 2 and 21, 2026, across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.

With the President now directing immediate implementation, attention will shift from deliberations and policy recommendations to the government's ability to deliver on the 18-point action agenda.

For millions of Nigerian youths, the ultimate significance of the conference will not be determined by the number of speeches delivered or resolutions adopted, but by the opportunities created, jobs facilitated, businesses supported and meaningful roles provided for young people in the country's governance and economic development.

SPOTLIGHT ONLINE NEWS

Informing, Educating and Enlightening the Public.