Maryam Aminu
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has teamed up with the National Defence College to chart a new course for youth leadership in Nigeria, unveiling a high-level conference aimed at equipping young Nigerians with the values, skills, and resilience needed to lead the nation into the future.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, declared the event open, describing it as “a bold step towards shaping the leadership architecture of our beloved country.” With youths making up over 70% of Nigeria’s population, the President stressed that the future of the nation already rests in their hands.
“The Nigeria we desire tomorrow depends on the leadership we build today,” Tinubu affirmed, while urging young participants to embrace values-based leadership and actively engage in tackling pressing global challenges such as cybersecurity, climate change, food security, and innovation.
The Minister of Youth Development, through his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abdullahi Mohamed, emphasized that Nigeria’s true wealth lies not in oil or gas but in the “vibrant energy and potential of our youth.”
He described the partnership with the National Defence College as both timely and vital in preparing a generation of disciplined, creative, and courageous leaders.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by Hon. Mohammed Jalo, reaffirmed parliament’s commitment to youth empowerment, while the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Jo Okosun, underscored that “the strength of a country lies in its youth, and by investing in them, the future of Nigeria is safe in their hands.”
The conference has drawn young leaders, policymakers, and experts from across the country, offering a platform to exchange ideas, build networks, and craft strategies to secure Nigeria’s future through empowered youth leadership.
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