The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately convene a National Youth Conference and facilitate dialogue between government officials and youth leaders to identify critical issues and propose solutions to the economic challenges.

NYCN Ambassador Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo said in a statement on Monday that the council canceled this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) celebration out of respect for youths who lost their lives during the #EndBadGovernance protest.

“This decision also reflects our deep concern over the severe economic hardship and widespread hunger currently affecting millions of Nigerians,” Sukubo said.

He disclosed that the council has submitted a position statement to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim; and the National Assembly, on how to alleviate the present difficulties in the country.

The NYCN president condemned the economic crisis in Nigeria, which he said is associated with rising inflation, high unemployment rates and growing youth discontent, expressing the belief that “it is necessary to prioritize addressing these pressing issues over celebratory events .”

He urged the president to launch a national peer-to-peer program and engage the youth to reduce the number of protests.

He also wants the government to implement immediate relief measures, including subsidies on essential goods, job creation programs targeting youth and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase employment.

Other areas that the council wants the government to intervene in include education and skills development; access to health care; transparency and accountability in the implementation of economic policy, as well as agricultural support for youth through grants, loans and training programs.

“Swift and decisive action will address immediate economic challenges and restore hope and stability to our nation,” the youth president advised.

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