Ten months after President Bola Tinubu promised a 30-day national youth conference during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day broadcast, the event is yet to hold, sparking frustration among activists. The conference, themed “Next-Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future”, was Tinubu’s response to the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 2024, which erupted over economic hardship, hunger, and unpopular reforms such as fuel subsidy removal and Naira devaluation. The protests left at least 14 people dead and many minors unlawfully detained.
Despite the president’s assurances, no provision was made for the confab in the 2025 budget, fueling doubts about government sincerity. While over 155,000 youths registered for participation, many activists said they were unaware of the registration portal, raising transparency concerns. The planning committee insists that 90% of preparations are complete but blames delays on pending presidential approval and security clearance.
The conference is designed to engage 36,000 youths across Nigeria’s 360 constituencies, beginning at the constituency level and moving to zonal conferences in Imo, Bauchi, Kano, and Lafia before the national gathering. It is expected to tackle issues like education, unemployment, security, and social justice. However, with no confirmed date, critics accuse the government of insincerity, while organisers maintain that the event will hold soon once final approvals are secured.
