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From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on Thursday concluded its quarterly strategy meeting of Commissioners for Youth Development from All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states, held in Owerri, Imo State capital, with far-reaching resolutions to deepen youth engagement and strengthen the party’s grassroots appeal ahead of 2027.
This is as they adopted what they called Project 12 Million Youth Votes for APC and reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a nationwide mobilisation drive aimed at securing massive youth participation and electoral support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two-day meeting, which took place from Thursday, 6 November to Friday, 7 November in Owerri, Imo State capital, brought together youth commissioners from all APC-governed states to harmonise policies and foster collaboration under the theme “FG–PGF Youth Policy Synergy: Harmonising State-Level Actions with the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, hosted the meeting, represented by his deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru.
Participants described the event as “a milestone in youth-centred governance coordination under the Renewed Hope administration.”
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the commissioners commended President Bola Tinubu for the youth-focused component of his Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as “a transformative framework for job creation, innovation, and youth inclusion in governance.” They pledged to domesticate and align the agenda in their respective states to create sustainable opportunities for young Nigerians.
A key highlight of the meeting was the adoption of Project 12 Million Youth Votes for APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a nationwide mobilisation drive aimed at securing massive youth participation and electoral support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are determined to rally the strength of young Nigerians behind the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the communiqué stated.
The forum also emphasised the expansion of the digital economy as a driver of youth employment. It resolved to partner with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and private sector stakeholders to establish innovation hubs, start-up incubators, and remote work platforms across APC states.
Participants underscored the link between youth empowerment and national security, stressing that meaningful engagement of young people in sports, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills would help tackle unemployment, crime, and restiveness.
The communiqué further urged states to strengthen Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract investment into youth-oriented projects and reduce overreliance on government funding. Commissioners also agreed to create a Joint Technical Working Group to coordinate youth development policies and share best practices among APC-governed states.
In a unanimous decision, the commissioners conferred the honorary title of Pan-Nigerian Youth Governor on Governor Hope Uzodimma, in recognition of what they described as his “visionary leadership and outstanding contribution to youth empowerment across Nigeria.”
The forum commended the PGF Secretariat for its continued coordination of state-level policy engagements and resolved to hold its next meeting in the first quarter of 2026 at a venue to be announced later.
