The Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with the National Defence College, has inaugurated a high-level conference aimed at preparing young Nigerians for leadership roles across all sectors of national life.
Declaring the event open, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—represented by the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande—described the initiative as “a bold step towards shaping the leadership architecture of our beloved country.”
Highlighting that over 70% of Nigeria’s population comprises youth, the President stressed that “the future is not a distant dream; it is in the hands, hearts, and minds of our young people today.” He cautioned, however, that “energy without direction and potential without preparation can lead to frustration.”
President Tinubu underscored the need for values-based leadership and youth involvement in addressing national and global challenges, including cybersecurity, climate change, healthcare, food security, and innovation. He urged participants to learn, collaborate, and extend their leadership beyond the conference into civic life, while calling on policymakers and stakeholders to provide education, mentorship, opportunities, and platforms for inclusive governance.
“The Nigeria we desire tomorrow depends on the leadership we build today,” he affirmed.
Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development—represented by his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abdullahi Mohamed—emphasized that the nation’s true wealth lies not in oil or gas, but in the vibrant energy and potential of its youth.
“The strength of Nigeria is measured by the quality of its leadership and the readiness of young citizens to take on responsibility,” the Minister stated. He described the partnership with the National Defence College as timely and rooted in shared values of discipline, innovation, courage, and creativity.
“Today, leadership is not just about position but about values. This conference provides young people the platform to engage, learn, and grow into the leaders our nation needs,” he added, urging participants to approach the programme with focus and open minds.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas—represented by Hon. Mohammed Jalo (Igabi Federal Constituency, Kaduna)—reaffirmed the importance of equipping young Nigerians for national progress.
In his remarks, Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Jo Okosun, stressed the central role of youth in nation-building. “The strength of a country lies in its youth, and by investing in them, the future of Nigeria is safe in their hands,” he noted.
The conference convenes young leaders, policymakers, and experts nationwide to deliberate on youth empowerment, leadership development, and strategies for advancing Nigeria’s future.
ADEOLA KUNLE
