The Federal Government has charged young Nigerians to move beyond discussions and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting them.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, gave the charge on Friday while declaring the National Youth Confab 2026 open at the National Counter Terrorism Centre Auditorium, Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Ministry’s Director, Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, on Friday, Olawande described the confab as “more than a conference”, but a platform for young Nigerians to “exchange ideas, examine opportunities and challenges, and contribute to shaping policies and programmes that affect their lives.”

He said youths remained “one of the country’s greatest assets”, citing their contributions to entrepreneurship, technology, the creative economy, civic engagement, innovation and community development.

The minister, however, listed employment, skills development, access to finance, education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, peace and security as some of the challenges facing young Nigerians.

He urged delegates to “go beyond identifying problems and develop realistic recommendations, partnerships and measurable actions” that could improve government programmes, access to opportunities and accountability.

Olawande also called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, development partners, civil society and youth-led organisations to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.

He urged delegates to “take full ownership of the Confab by engaging, questioning, proposing and collaborating.”

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, said the confab offered young Nigerians an opportunity to shape policies on leadership, governance, jobs, entrepreneurship, education, digital skills, peacebuilding and national unity.

She urged participants to “move beyond discussions and translate their ideas into practical and measurable actions.”

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Olaseye Nafiu, described the inclusion of young people in national conversations and decision-making as “critical to Nigeria’s development.”

The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said technology and Artificial Intelligence would be used to capture, analyse and categorise ideas and concerns raised at the confab.

He said the initiative would provide evidence to inform policies “reflecting the aspirations and expectations of young Nigerians.”

The Speaker of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Aliyu Idris Zakari, called for sustained youth participation in governance, saying young Nigerians should be seen “not merely as leaders of tomorrow, but as active partners and contributors to national development today.”

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, called for greater attention to education, employment, skills development, digital innovation, entrepreneurship and youth participation in governance.

He urged the government to ensure that the confab’s outcomes translated into policies and programmes that improve the lives of young Nigerians.