PROTOCOL
My pricey younger Nigerians,
Today, I stand earlier than you with a renewed sense of hope and confidence in the way forward for our nice nation.
Over the previous few days, you’ve gathered from completely different elements of Nigeria, and from past our shores, to debate the way forward for our nation.
I’ve adopted the proceedings of this Conference with eager curiosity.
And I have to inform you that I’m significantly happy with the keenness, the standard of concepts, the braveness and the sense of accountability demonstrated by younger Nigerians all through these engagements.
You have spoken with ardour. You have raised vital questions. You have challenged current approaches and provided recent options.
Above all, you’ve demonstrated that the younger individuals of Nigeria aren’t in need of concepts, ambition or the willpower to construct a greater nation.
I’m happy with you.
I commend the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, beneath the management of the (*9*) Minister, Ayodele Olawande, the Planning Committee and all stakeholders whose dedication and arduous work have made this Conference attainable.
I significantly congratulate the younger Nigerians who participated within the digital consultations and the delegates who took half within the bodily deliberations.
Your enthusiasm, considerate contributions and willingness to interact in significant dialogue have bolstered my conviction that Nigeria’s younger individuals are not merely the leaders of tomorrow.
You are vital companions in shaping the Nigeria of at this time. My pricey younger Nigerians, after we conceived this National Youth Conference, our intention was clear.
We needed to create a nationwide platform the place younger Nigerians might converse freely, interact constructively and contribute on to the selections that form their future.
We didn’t convene this Conference merely to take heed to speeches or produce one other doc. We convened it as a result of the way forward for Nigeria can’t be mentioned with out the younger individuals who will inherit it, and I’m joyful that you’ve got justified the arrogance we positioned in you.
Let me guarantee you at this time that your voices have been heard. Your issues matter. Your aspirations matter. Your suggestions will obtain the intense consideration they deserve.
I perceive the challenges confronting our younger individuals. I do know that lots of you might be involved about employment, the price of residing, entry to training, alternatives to start out companies and the safety of your communities.
I additionally perceive your need for a rustic the place arduous work is rewarded, expertise is recognised and alternatives aren’t decided by who you realize or the place you come from. These are professional expectations. They are expectations that authorities has a accountability to deal with.
Our Renewed Hope Agenda is based on the willpower to construct an economic system that creates alternatives, rewards enterprise and provides each Nigerian a good probability to succeed.
We have taken tough selections to put the muse for a stronger and extra productive economic system. I do know that these reforms have include sacrifices. But I additionally know that younger Nigerians deserve greater than explanations in regards to the difficulties of at this time.
You need to see the alternatives of tomorrow changing into realities in your lives. That is why we’re investing in training, abilities, innovation and entrepreneurship. Through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the Three Million Technical Talent program, the YouthCred, the Nigerian Youth Academy and different initiatives, we’re working to take away limitations and open new pathways for younger Nigerians.
And we are going to do extra. We will be sure that coaching results in alternatives. That innovation attracts funding. That younger entrepreneurs can proceed to entry finance, and {that a} younger Nigerian with expertise and willpower can succeed, no matter background or location.
Distinguished girls and gents,
The actual check of this Conference begins after at this time. I are not looking for the suggestions of this Conference to turn into one other report gathering mud on authorities cabinets. I need them to turn into a information for motion.
I subsequently direct the (*9*) Minister of Youth Development to work with related Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, the personal sector and improvement companions to translate the outcomes of this Conference right into a sensible implementation framework.
That framework should establish clear priorities, assign tasks, set up sensible timelines and supply measurable indicators of progress. I additionally count on younger individuals to stay actively concerned within the implementation and monitoring course of.
You should not be invited to the desk solely when selections are being mentioned. You should even have a spot on the desk when these selections are being carried out.
Our dedication should lengthen to younger girls, individuals with disabilities, younger individuals in rural communities and people whose circumstances have too typically restricted their alternatives.
No younger Nigerian needs to be left behind.
My pricey younger Nigerians,
Do not underestimate your energy to vary this nation. Nigeria wants your creativity. Nigeria wants your braveness. Nigeria wants your enterprise. Nigeria wants your management.
But management additionally calls for accountability. Use your voices to advance concepts. Use your platforms to advertise understanding. Challenge what’s incorrect, defend what is true and take part actively within the democratic course of.
Let us by no means enable our variations in ethnicity, faith or political opinion to turn into limitations to our widespread future. We could come from completely different backgrounds, however we share one nation and one future.
Nigeria belongs to all of us, and constructing it’s a accountability we should share. I stay dedicated to a Nigeria the place younger individuals are not merely ready for alternatives however are geared up and supported to create them.
A Nigeria the place the son of a farmer can turn into a know-how innovator, the place a younger lady in a rural neighborhood can construct a profitable enterprise. A Nigeria the place a graduate can flip data into significant work, and the place the goals of our younger individuals are not restricted by the circumstances of their beginning.
That is the Nigeria we’re working collectively to construct.
As you come to your communities, take with you the spirit of dialogue, cooperation and nationwide service that has outlined this gathering. This Conference could also be ending at this time, however your accountability to Nigeria continues. My administration will proceed to hear, interact and work with you.
Let this be the start of a stronger partnership between authorities and the younger individuals of Nigeria. A partnership constructed on belief, accountability, alternative and measurable outcomes.
On that be aware, it’s my honour to formally declare the 2026 National Youth Conference closed.
May God bless the youth of Nigeria.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
