Ayodele Olawande Calls for Youth Action at National Confab

At the National Youth Confab 2026 held at the National Counter Terrorist Centre Auditorium in Abuja, Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande emphasized the need for Nigerian youths to turn their ideas into practical solutions. He described youths as “one of the country’s greatest assets” due to their contributions across various sectors.

Olawande stated that the confab was a platform for young Nigerians to exchange ideas and shape policies affecting their lives. He identified significant challenges facing the youth, including employment, skills development, and digital inclusion, urging delegates to develop actionable recommendations.

Permanent Secretary Maryam Keshinro highlighted the confab's role in allowing youths to influence policies on governance and education. Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps, stressed the importance of youth inclusion in national decision-making.

Additionally, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, announced the use of technology and AI to analyze ideas from the confab to inform policy decisions.