Recently, President Bola Tinubu announced a national youth conference during his October 1 Independence Speech, claiming it would tackle the many challenges facing young Nigerians. However, reactions have been mixed, with many questioning the sincerity of this initiative.
Critics argue that the proposed 30-day conference is just a political stunt aimed at winning support for the president ahead of the 2027 elections. The Voters Rights Association of Nigeria (VRAN) has labeled it a “national jamboree,” suggesting it is merely a way for corrupt officials to misappropriate funds saved from the recent fuel subsidy removal. Jezie Ekejiuba, the president of VRAN, believes the delegates chosen for the conference will likely be connected to current political leaders rather than representing the broader youth population.
Ekejiuba insists that President Tinubu doesn’t need a conference to understand the issues facing young people. Protests like the #EndBadGovernance movement have already highlighted significant challenges such as insecurity, high living costs, and rampant unemployment. VRAN calls for the government to take concrete actions rather than engage in more discussions.
Dr. Pogu Bitrus, the president of the Middle Belt Forum, shares this skepticism. He emphasizes that previous national conferences, particularly the 2014 one, already addressed many youth-related issues. He argues that instead of creating a new conference, the government should focus on implementing the recommendations from past meetings to bring about real change.
In contrast, Alhaji Yerim Shettima of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum sees the conference as a positive step. He believes it can help engage the youth and provide them with hope. However, he also worries that it might not lead to any real action and could end up being just another empty dialogue.
Lawyer and public affairs commentator Ikechukwu Onodi remains unconvinced, describing the conference as a diversionary tactic. He argues that it is designed to distract the public from ongoing issues like corruption and misgovernance, while also trying to secure youth support for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027.
Overall, many Nigerians are skeptical about whether President Tinubu’s proposed youth conference will result in meaningful change or simply serve as a temporary fix to political discontent. As discussions continue, the focus remains on whether the government will take genuine actions to address the pressing challenges faced by young people in Nigeria.
