The Federal Government has officially set a date for the much-anticipated National Youth Conference, now scheduled for February 2025.
This comes after mounting pressure from various youth organizations, who have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its delays in convening the conference, initially promised during his Independence Day address.
The conference, which aims to tackle critical issues such as youth unemployment, education, and political participation, was envisioned as a platform to give young Nigerians a voice in nation-building.
However, nearly three months after the announcement, many youth groups have voiced their dissatisfaction over the lack of updates and the absence of concrete steps towards the event.
The delay has sparked widespread disappointment, particularly among groups such as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Yoruba Youths Council, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the Ijaw National Congress, who accuse the government of neglecting its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the youth population.
Zaid Ayuba, National President of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, expressed his dismay: “We are deeply disappointed by the delay in organizing this confab.
The President’s announcement should have triggered immediate action, but this has not been the case. This was an opportunity to give young Nigerians a platform for change, but it has been wasted.”
Similarly, Eric Oluwole, President of the Yoruba Youths Council, lamented the government’s failure to prioritize youth concerns: “It seems that the President has forgotten about the conference. We were hopeful it would happen soon, but now it looks like a distant dream. We demand that youth inclusion in governance becomes a priority.”
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide also weighed in, with spokesperson Dr. Alex Ogbonnia stressing that the conference would offer an opportunity for the President to connect directly with the youth: “The confab is vital for the President to understand the aspirations of the youth. Delaying it only undermines the administration’s credibility.”
On the government’s side, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, provided clarity, announcing that the conference will begin in the first week of February 2025.
He assured that this year’s event would be unlike previous ones, focusing on actionable outcomes rather than lengthy debates.
“This time, we are taking a more grassroots-oriented approach,” Olawande said.
Olawande further emphasized that President Tinubu has personally approved the revised approach and that he intends to inaugurate delegates by mid-January.
The Minister also hinted at a shift away from traditional confab models, aiming for a more result-driven event.
