The Federal Government has commenced the virtual engagement phase of the 2026 National Youth Confab, with youths from the North-Central geopolitical zone participating in the dialogue.
The engagement, which began on Monday, is aimed at strengthening youth participation in national development and governance.
The Director-General, Committee of Youth on Mobilisation and Sensitisation (CYMS), Chief Obinna Nwaka made this known in a statement by the CYMS Media Officer, Mr Hosea Parah, on Tuesday in Abuja.
CYMS is a dedicated umbrella for vibrant, energetic Nigerian youths committed to promoting national development. It also maintains an excellent working relationship with all security agencies in Nigeria and is domiciled under the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nwaka said that monitoring exercise at the situation room was led by him and was joined by Mr Segun Dada, Senior Special Assistant to the President on New Media and Chairman, Sub-Committee on Media.
The CYMS boss said the virtual engagement followed the opening ceremony led by the Minister of Youth Development, Mr Ayodele Olawande.
He said the exercise marked another step in the federal government’s efforts to provide Nigerian youths with a platform to articulate their concerns, aspirations and recommendations on issues affecting the country.
He said the officials monitored the virtual sessions and coordination of activities, while ad-hoc officers were deployed as support staff to ensure the smooth conduct of the engagement.
Nwaka described the Youth Confab as an important opportunity for Nigerian youths to engage directly in dialogue on the future of the country.
He said the initiative would provide young Nigerians an opportunity to move beyond expressing concerns to contributing ideas and practical solutions to national challenges.
Nwaka described the confab as “the best gift President Bola Tinubu has given Nigerian youths to dialogue.”
He said the initiative could help deepen youth participation in national affairs.
The CYMS director-general also commended members of the Sub-Committee on Contacts and Mobiliaation for their commitment and dedication to the process.
Nwaka expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the first day of the virtual engagement, saying the exercise recorded significant success despite the scale and complexity of coordinating youths across different locations.
He said the successful commencement of the virtual sessions demonstrated the commitment of the various committees and support teams working behind the scenes to ensure the achievement of the objectives of the Youth Confab 2026.
Nwaka said the virtual engagement was expected to provide a wider platform for young Nigerians to contribute to discussions on governance, economic opportunities, education, technology, employment, inclusion and other issues affecting their future.
He said the engagement underscores the federal government’s emphasis on creating avenues for young Nigerians to participate in shaping policies and programmes affecting their generation.
“As the confab progresses, stakeholders are expected to build on the first day’s engagement and sustain the process toward producing recommendations that reflect the realities, aspirations and expectations of Nigerian youths,” he said.
Newsextra24 reports that rhose who participated in monitoring and coordinating activities at the situation room deployed by the Sub-Committee on Contacts and Mobilisation included Engr. Ubah Ibrahim, Gloria Ojonugwa, Seun Okunola, Amarah Joseph, Clever Waka, Rose Nwokeocha, Peace Solomon and Comrade Shuiabu Abdulrasheed.
A representative of Persons With Disabilities (PWD), Fauziyat, also participated in the exercise, among others.
