Edith CHUKU
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has charged Nigeria youths to take the lead in shaping the country’s future through active participation, innovation and constructive engagement.
Ogbuku gave this charge at the 2026 National Youth Conference held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, where he commended the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over what he described as his commitment to youth development.
The NDDC boss applauded Tinubu for championing the inclusion of young people in national decision-making.
He said the conference, which focused on the theme: “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future,” as a historic opportunity for Nigerian youths to help shape the country’s future.
The NDDC chief executive officer urged the delegates to embrace national unity, mutual understanding and collaboration across ethnic and regional divides.
He also encouraged them to channel their energy, creativity and passion for change towards developing practical solutions to the country’s challenges and demonstrating their readiness for leadership and national responsibility.
He expressed confidence that the recommendations emerging from the conference would contribute significantly to building a better Nigeria.
Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the recommendations emerging from the conference translate into tangible policies and programmes.
The president directed the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, to collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), state governments, the private sector and development partners to develop a practical implementation framework for the adopted recommendations.
Tinubu further emphasised that young Nigerians must remain actively involved not only in policy discussions but also in implementing and monitoring decisions that affect their future.
He noted that the conference’s success would ultimately be measured by how far its recommendations produce meaningful results in young people’s lives.
The president described Nigerian youths as important partners in shaping the country’s present and future. He also acknowledged the challenges confronting young people, particularly unemployment, the cost of living, access to education, limited business opportunities and insecurity, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to expanding opportunities through education, skills development, innovation and entrepreneurship.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted the importance of investor confidence, economic growth and job creation to Nigeria’s development. He urged young Nigerians to embrace innovation, constructive engagement and practical solutions, noting that positive perceptions of the country and a conducive investment environment were essential to expanding economic opportunities.
Earlier, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, stated that the conference had produced an 18-point action agenda covering six priority areas: Governance, Leadership and Political Participation; Economic Transformation, Entrepreneurship and Job Creation; Education and Seven-Star Skills for the Future; Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation; Climate Change and Energy Transition; and Social Cohesion and Security.
