Tinubu orders implementation of youth confab resolutions, demands timelines, measurable results

Implementation

By Franca Ofili

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to translate the outcomes of the 2026 National Youth Conference into concrete government actions, insisting on measurable results and accountability.

Tinubu gave the directive at the closing ceremony of the conference at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where he was represented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

Mr Nwachukwu Christian, Assist Director for Information and Public Relations in the ministry made this known in a statement.

According to the statement, Tinubu directed the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to collaborate with relevant ministries, State Governments, private sector and development partners to develop an implementation framework.

He said the framework must contain clear priorities, assigned responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable indicators to ensure effective implementation of the conference recommendations.

He also insisted that young Nigerians must participate actively in implementing and monitoring the decisions, stressing that their involvement should extend beyond consultations to actual decision-making processes.

“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,” the statement quoted the president has saying.

The president said Nigerian youths must not only be invited to participate in discussions, but should also have meaningful roles in implementing decisions affecting their future.

He acknowledged challenges confronting young Nigerians, and identified unemployment, rising cost of living, limited educational opportunities, access to finance and insecurity as major concerns requiring sustained government attention.

He said his administration understood concerns facing youths, adding that ongoing reforms and investments in education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship were designed to expand opportunities.

“Initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Three Million Technical Talent programme, YouthCred and Nigerian Youth Academy are interventions aimed at empowering young people,” Tinubu said.

He, however, stressed the need to ensure that skills acquisition translated into employment, innovation attracted investments and young entrepreneurs gained improved access to financing.

Tinubu commended the ministry conference planning committee and participating young Nigerians for demonstrating capacity to contribute ideas and solutions towards national development.

Earlier, the Minister, Ayodele Olawande, said the conference produced an 18-point action agenda covering six priority areas following nationwide virtual consultations and physical deliberations.

Olawande said the conference provided an important platform for strengthening youth participation in national decision-making and ensuring that their concerns informed government policies and programmes.

“For the first time in the history of this country, the youth can feel the government, see the government, and touch the government,” he said.

He said the recommendations would be pursued through relevant executive, legislative and judicial channels, with the Ministry engaging stakeholders to secure necessary institutional support.

The minister appreciated Tinubu for providing the platform, describing the conference as an opportunity for young Nigerians to move beyond expressing concerns to contributing directly to solutions.

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, urged young Nigerians to participate actively in shaping the country’s economic future.

Oyedele warned that negative perceptions and distorted narratives about Nigeria could discourage investments, weaken economic confidence and undermine opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship.

“A factory that is not built means jobs that are not created,” he said, urging participants to embrace constructive engagement, innovation and practical solutions to national challenges.

He stressed the need to translate economic progress into tangible benefits through increased investments, production, job creation and shared prosperity.

The statement said the conference, convened by the Tinubu-led 0administration, brought together young Nigerians from across the country and diaspora to deliberate on national issues and make recommendations.

It said that the conference focused on strengthening youth participation in governance, economic development and nation-building, with its outcomes expected to guide policies and programmes affecting young Nigerians.

“With Tinubu’s directive, attention is now focused on developing an implementation framework to translate the recommendations into concrete government actions, with youths expected to participate in the process,” it said (https://newsatlarge.ng)