In a key initiative to address the challenges facing young Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu announced the establishment of a National Youth Conference during his Independence Day address.

“I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference,” he said, emphasizing its role as a platform for tackling the diverse issues and opportunities impacting the youth, who make up over 60% of the population. “The conference will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that affect their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow,” he added.

The conference is scheduled to last 30 days, aiming to unite youth from across the nation to collaboratively address critical issues like education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. President Tinubu noted that details of the conference and the selection of delegates would be determined in close consultation with youth representatives.

He expressed confidence that the conference discussions would resonate with the aspirations of young people and assured that his administration would carefully consider and implement the recommendations generated from the forum.

Additionally, the president highlighted various youth-focused initiatives being rolled out by his government to equip young Nigerians for a rapidly changing global landscape. These include the 3 Million Technical Talents Programme (3MTT) under the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, aimed at developing Nigeria’s technical talent. He also mentioned the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides affordable loans to students pursuing higher education, and announced the upcoming launch of The Renewed Hope Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP) later this month.