By Reportcircle-Abuja
Federal officials, media leaders, and youth advocates have called on Nigerian youths to take decisive steps toward nation-building and sustainable development as the country joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 2025 International Youth Day.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa, said young Nigerians who make up over 70% of the population hold the key to transforming the country’s socio-economic future.
“Youths are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are the drivers of today. Their creativity, energy, and innovation are the raw materials for building a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria,” Isa said.
He added that the Tinubu administration has placed youth empowerment at the heart of its Renewed Hope Agenda through initiatives such as the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), digital skills training, and entrepreneurship support.
In her address, the Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, pledged continued media support for youth-led development, urging young people to be active participants in policy-making rather than passive beneficiaries.
She noted that youths are not merely beneficiaries of policy but active participants in creating solutions. Ike called for collective action to tackle the growing challenges facing young people, including insecurity and economic hardship.
“Today’s celebration is a time to reflect on the pressing realities facing our youth,” she said. “It is also a reminder that journalists have a critical role to play in highlighting their achievements and advocating for policies that foster inclusion, innovation, and leadership.”
National President of the Nigerian Youth Organization (NYO), Comrade Okorie Okorie, described youths as the “dynamic force” shaping Nigeria’s present and future, calling on them to harness their innovation and unity to promote peace and progress.
This year’s theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond”, underscored the need for grassroots-driven solutions to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Abuja event brought together youth delegates nationwide, united by a mission to foster inclusion, innovation, and national development.
