President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described Nigerian youth as the driving force behind every nation’s success, emphasizing that their energy, innovation, and commitment are indispensable to achieving sustainable economic, social, and political progress.
Delivering his goodwill message at the Youth Creative Conference themed “Silencing the Guns: Tomorrow is Now”, the President, represented by the Honourable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment as a cornerstone of national development, peace-building, and inclusive growth.
The President commended the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for convening the conference in partnership with the African Union (AU), describing it as a timely platform for amplifying youth voices, shaping narratives, and advancing continental peace.
According to President Tinubu, Nigerian youth are not merely beneficiaries of government programmes but active partners in nation-building. He urged them to leverage creativity, innovation, and authentic storytelling to counter negative stereotypes, silence conflict, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s progress.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, emphasized that Africa’s greatest resource is its youth, whose courage, creativity, and leadership are critical in silencing conflict and driving societal transformation. He called for a shift in the narrative: from viewing youth as perpetrators of violence to recognizing them as architects of peace and innovation.
The Minister outlined key priority areas including education, skills development, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, inclusive governance, and civic engagement as the pathways for empowering young people to take ownership of their future. He further commended the African Union and other partners for their support, reiterating President Tinubu’s commitment to constructive youth engagement and violence prevention.
Comrade Olawande concluded by reaffirming that Nigerian and African youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the “doers of today”, whose collective energy and innovation remain vital for peace, resilience, and prosperity across the continent.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns, underscored the central role of youth in Africa’s peace and security. He commended Nigeria for its hospitality and 65th independence celebration, while reaffirming the enduring AU–ECOWAS partnership in advancing peace across West Africa.
Linking the conference to the AU’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative, rooted in the 2013 Addis Ababa Solemn Declaration, Dr. Chambas highlighted key milestones such as Africa Amnesty Month and the launch of regional chapters, most recently in Dar es Salaam in July 2025, as vital platforms for empowering youth as frontline peace-builders.
He further praised Nigeria’s leadership through initiatives such as the “Not Too Young to Run” Act, youth-led digital innovation, and grassroots mediation efforts. Dr. Chambas called for stronger institutionalization of youth participation, stressing the need for investment in creativity, leadership, and civic engagement.
Concluding, he urged renewed commitment to the AU’s 2020–2030 Silencing the Guns agenda, affirming that Africa’s peace and prosperity ultimately rest in the hands of its youth, supported by collective continental and global effort.
Signed
Omolara Esan
Director, Information and Public Relations
