By Stella Odueme
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to begin immediate implementation of resolutions reached at the 2026 National Youth Conference, warning that the recommendations must not end up as another report without tangible results.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday during the closing ceremony of the conference in Abuja. He was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
According to a statement, the President charged the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, to work with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, private sector operators and development partners to establish a comprehensive implementation framework.
He said the framework must contain clear priorities, defined responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable performance indicators to ensure effective delivery of the conference recommendations.
Tinubu also stressed the need for young Nigerians to participate actively in implementing and monitoring the resolutions, noting that their involvement must extend beyond consultations to decision-making and execution.
According to him, the success of the conference would be determined by the extent to which its recommendations translate into practical government actions.
“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. I want them to become a guide for action,” he said.
The President acknowledged the challenges confronting young Nigerians, including unemployment, rising living costs, limited access to education and business opportunities, as well as insecurity.
He, however, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities for young people through investments and reforms in education, technical skills, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Three Million Technical Talent programme, YouthCred and Nigerian Youth Academy as some of the initiatives aimed at empowering young Nigerians.
Tinubu emphasised the need to connect skills acquisition with employment opportunities, attract investment into innovation and improve access to finance for young entrepreneurs.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said the conference produced an 18-point action agenda covering six priority areas.
Olawande explained that the recommendations were developed through nationwide virtual consultations and physical deliberations involving youth representatives from different parts of the country and the diaspora.
He described the conference as an important milestone in strengthening youth participation in national affairs, assuring that the ministry would collaborate with relevant stakeholders to convert the recommendations into policies, programmes and opportunities.
Also speaking, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, urged young Nigerians to take an active role in shaping the country’s economic future and promoting investor confidence.
Oyedele cautioned that negative perceptions and misleading narratives about Nigeria could undermine investment, weaken economic confidence and reduce employment and business opportunities.
