From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
No fewer than 35,000 Nigerian youths will participate in this year’s multi-stakeholders National Youth Confab involving all the 360 federal constituencies across the country.
Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, said that it will be driven by both public and private sector.
On the dimensions the youth confab will take, the Minister disclosed that the deliberations will be structured around six thematic pillars, each representing key issues affecting young people in Nigeria.
He explained that it will cover governance, leadership, 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 social cohesion and security.
He also assured that the selection of delegates for the confab to guarantee non-partisanship, inclusion and representation, will be open and transparent.
“90 per cent of the delegates shall be youth within the age bracket of 18-35 years. Only 10 percent will be above 35 years to foster intergenerational dialogue. Selection will be merit-based and structured, ensuring a balance between grassroots representation, sector expertise, and regional inclusivity,” he said.
On the category of participants, he said that; “Delegates will be drawn from youth organisations, community-based groups, student unions, and statutory youth bodies. A 50:50 gender balance will be maintained. PWDs and other marginalized groups will be prioritized to ensure that all perspectives are integrated into the confab,” he explained.
The Minister further added that; “National Youth Confab is a moment in history. It inspires hope and provides an opportunity for young people to reimagine a Nigeria that works for its youth. It is a chance to move from protest to policy, from problems to solutions, and from challenges to progress.”
“The conference planning commit enjoins all young Nigerians regardless of gender, ability, faith, or background to actively participate in the confab through contributing to the virtual consultations, memorandum submission,” he said.