Tinubu orders youth conference resolutions implemented with clear timelines

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to start implementing the resolutions of the 2026 National Youth Conference immediately, and warned that they must not become another report left on a shelf.

Represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, he gave the directive on Monday at the closing ceremony at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, according to a statement signed by Nwachukwu Christian of the ministry's information department. ThisAge reports that the conference produced 18 resolutions.

He asked Youth Development Minister Ayodele Olawande to work with ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, the private sector and development partners on an implementation framework with clear priorities, assigned responsibilities, realistic timelines and measurable performance indicators.

Tinubu also told the ministry to involve young Nigerians in carrying out and monitoring the resolutions, beyond consultation. "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," he said. "You must not be invited to the table only when decisions are being discussed. You must also have a place at the table when those decisions are being implemented."

Acknowledging unemployment, rising living costs, limited access to education and business opportunities, and insecurity among young people, the president pointed to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, YouthCred and the Nigerian Youth Academy as initiatives meant to support them.

Tinubu said government interventions must produce results in jobs, entrepreneurship, innovation and access to finance. Skills acquisition must lead to employment, innovation must attract investment, and young entrepreneurs must have better access to the money needed to start and grow their businesses, he said. He added that the conference would be judged by how far its recommendations improve opportunities and address the challenges young Nigerians face.

Vanguard reported that the president said his administration understands young people's concerns, and that ongoing reforms and investments in education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship are meant to widen opportunities for them.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, he said young people should hold meaningful roles in carrying out the decisions that affect their future, so that their voices shape government policies and programmes.