The Federal Government has scheduled the planned national youth conference for February 2025.
President Bola Tinubu, during his Independence Day broadcast, announced plans for a 30-day conference to address youth-focused issues, including unemployment, education, and political participation.
“The conference aims to 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 impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow,” Tinubu stated.
After months of anticipation, youth groups expressed dissatisfaction with the delay in organising the conference. Groups such as the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Yoruba Youths Council (YYC), Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the Ijaw National Congress accused the government of neglecting its promises.
Zaid Ayuba, AYCF President, said, “We express our profound disappointment with the government’s inability to organise the much-anticipated national youth conference. The President’s announcement was an opportunity for Nigerians to witness a decisive mandate, but this failed to materialise, deeply disheartening us.”
Eric Oluwole, President of the YYC, stated, “Nigerian youths are not happy with Tinubu on the delay. It was our belief that the conference would hold as early as possible, but it seems like they have forgotten about it.”
Dr Alex Ogbonnia, spokesperson for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, added, “The youth confab is to the advantage of the President and shouldn’t be delayed further because it will enable the President to know the yearnings of the youth.”
The National Publicity Secretary of Ijaw National Congress, Ezonebi Oyekemeagbegha, warned that Tinubu’s inaction might lead to youth disengagement and rising apathy.
“It is good that whenever our leaders, particularly the President, make a promise, they must make conscious efforts to fulfil it,” he said.
However, some critics have raised concerns about the conference, describing it as a “diversionary tactic” and a “charade.”
Ezinwanne Onwuka, a Senior Reporter with Pilot News, in an opinion piece, said the conference is “ill-conceived and falls short of addressing the actual needs of the people.”
“Young Nigerians do not need a 30-day forum to express their frustrations as they have already voiced their appeals through the #EndBadGovernance protests. What is needed is not more talk, but action: job creation, economic relief, and an accountable government, to mention but a few,” she argued.
The conference is part of the administration’s response to youth-led protests, including #EndBadGovernance in August 2024.
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