The two-week conference will feature virtual consultations and a physical gathering in Abuja involving youth delegates and diaspora representatives.
The Federal Government has announced plans to hold the National Youth Confab 2026 in October to enable young Nigerians to contribute to national development and policy discussions.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Themed “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” the two-week programme will combine nationwide virtual consultations with a physical conference in Abuja.
Virtual Consultations To Begin
The first week will involve Nigerians aged 18 to 35, including young people living in the diaspora.
Participants will be able to submit memoranda, ideas and policy proposals through a dedicated online portal.
The ministry said contributions from the virtual consultations would inform discussions and recommendations at the physical conference.
Young entrepreneurs, students, farmers, technology innovators, professionals and people who feel excluded from national conversations are expected to participate.
366 Delegates Expected In Abuja
The physical conference will feature one youth delegate from each of Nigeria’s 360 federal constituencies and six representatives of Nigerians in the diaspora.
Stakeholders and observers will also participate in the event.
According to the Federal Government, the programme will include expert panels, policy laboratories, innovation showcases, networking sessions and structured discussions.
Delegate selection will focus on transparency, merit, grassroots representation, gender balance, regional inclusion and the participation of persons with disabilities and marginalised groups.
Six Priority Areas Identified
Discussions at the conference will centre on six thematic areas:
- Governance, leadership and political participation.
- Economic transformation, entrepreneurship and job creation.
- Education and skills for the future.
- Technology, innovation and digital transformation.
- Climate change and energy transition.
- Social cohesion and security.
Olawande said the objective was to develop practical and implementable recommendations addressing challenges facing young Nigerians.
FG Plans Post-Conference Monitoring
The minister said the conference would not end with speeches and recommendations.
He announced plans for a Multi-Stakeholder Youth Confab Taskforce, a Youth Confab Impact Index, sustained policy dialogues and a youth-led monitoring and accountability framework.
These mechanisms are intended to track commitments, measure progress and sustain engagement between young people and government institutions.
Olawande urged young Nigerians across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory and the diaspora to participate in consultations, submit proposals and nominate credible representatives.
The official registration portal is available at https://app.nationalyouthconfab.gov.ng/.
