Youth Conference Must Produce Action, Not Another Communiqué – Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu
Nigeria’s first National Youth Conference must go beyond speeches and resolutions by producing measurable actions, responsible institutions and timelines for implementation, the Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, Hon. Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said.
Chukwu made the call while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the virtual opening ceremony of the National Youth Conference 2026, describing the gathering as a historic opportunity for young Nigerians to directly shape conversations on the country’s present and future.
He said the success of the conference should not be judged by the number of participants or recommendations produced, but by what happens to those recommendations after the conference.
“Nigeria has never lacked ideas. Our challenge has always been converting good ideas into measurable action,” he said.
Chukwu urged participants to develop practical solutions to youth unemployment, digital skills, political participation and national unity, while also addressing how the recommendations of the conference would be implemented and monitored.
He said young Nigerians should move beyond complaining about the challenges facing the country and take greater responsibility for shaping its future.
“As we participate in this all-important National Youth Conference, I encourage us to be constructive, courageous and solution-oriented.
Let us not focus on the Nigeria we do not want. Let us articulate the Nigeria we want and define practical pathways towards achieving it,” he said.
Speaking from his experience engaging young political leaders across different parties, Chukwu said political differences should not become national divisions.
According to him, young Nigerians can belong to different political parties, disagree on policies and compete politically while still working together for a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria.
He called for the conference to produce more than a communiqué, urging participants to push for clear recommendations, responsible institutions, measurable timelines and a framework for tracking implementation.
Chukwu also challenged young Nigerians to prepare for the responsibilities that come with leadership.
“Do not only ask for a seat at the table. Prepare yourself for the responsibility that comes with sitting at that table,” he said.
He urged participants to “speak but also listen, demand but also propose, and criticise where necessary but provide alternatives”, stressing that the future of Nigerian youths must not be built without their direct participation.
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, youth networks and other stakeholders for providing the platform for the national conversation.
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