By Queen Kunde
Federal officials and media leaders have urged Nigerian youths to take decisive steps in nation-building, describing them as the driving force behind the country’s sustainable development goals.
Speaking in Abuja during the 2025 International Youth Day celebration themed “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, said young Nigerians are not just leaders of tomorrow but key drivers of change today.
“With over 70 percent of our population being youth, their creativity, energy, and innovation are the raw materials for building a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria,” Abba Isa declared, noting that youth development remains central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted government initiatives including the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), empowerment programmes, digital skills training, and entrepreneurial support, urging youths to translate global goals into grassroots action.
FCT Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Grace Ike, reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to amplifying youth voices, stressing that young people are “active participants in creating solutions” rather than mere policy beneficiaries.
National President of the Nigerian Youth Organization (NYO), Comrade Okorie Okorie, called Nigerian youths the “dynamic force” shaping the nation’s present and future, urging them to champion unity, innovation, and community development.
The event drew youth delegates from across the country, united in their resolve to strengthen local leadership, promote inclusion, and advance Nigeria’s progress from the grassroots up.