Tinubu inaugurates youth confab committee, vows to reverse japa

President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration’s economic reforms will encourage professionals who left the country in search of better opportunities to return.

He said this statement on Monday while inaugurating the Implementation Committee for the National Youth Conference at the State House, Abuja.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed details of the meeting in a statement he signed Monday titled ‘Nigerian Professionals Will Return As Economy Improves, President Tinubu Assures at Inauguration of National Youth Confab Planning Committee.’

Tinubu emphasised that the government’s policies were designed to create prosperity, particularly for young Nigerians, who constitute over 60 per cent of the population.

He stated that the japa trend—where Nigerians leave the country for better prospects—would eventually reverse as economic conditions improve.

“When you listen to most professionals leaving Nigeria, there’s a cause. If you grow prosperity back home and empower people, they will not bother leaving. They will stay home,” he stated.

The President added, “I want to reassure you that you are the hope of this country, and everything hangs on you.

Every decision that I have taken is about you. It’s about the future. When we removed the fuel subsidy, it was because we wanted to protect your future.

“We have cleared the path for you to have a great future.”

Tinubu charged the 44-member implementation committee with ensuring that the recommendations from the youth conference lead to impactful policies.

He assured them that the government was committed to implementing their deliberations.

“This is your opportunity to develop the nation and make it prosperous. You are the heartbeat of our nation, and I hope you take this responsibility seriously,” he said.

He also highlighted the progress of his economic reforms, noting that the initial phase was challenging but had started yielding results.

“When we started, it looked so foggy, dicey, and hopeless. We worked hard, and it was like drawing water out of a dry well.

“But today, the economy has turned the corner; prices are falling, confidence in our economy is improving, investors are looking this way, and technology is advancing,” he said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to engage young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future.

“Just look me in the face and tell me whatever you think is wrong and the way forward.

“Be frank. We will implement your suggestions so long as they are for the country’s prosperity,” he added.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended the President for prioritising youth inclusion and creating platforms for engagement.

Olawande highlighted initiatives such as the student loan scheme and infrastructural developments as part of the administration’s efforts to improve opportunities for young people.

A member of the committee, Samson Itodo, welcomed the conference as a significant step in involving Nigerian youths in governance and national development.

He outlined priority areas such as political governance, economic transformation, artificial intelligence, climate change, energy transition, and security.

The implementation process for the youth conference will include virtual consultations, calls for memoranda, regional town hall meetings, and a final congress in Abuja.

The committee is to be chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Development, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya.

Monday’s inauguration comes five months after Tinubu, in his last Independence Day broadcast, announced plans for a 30-day national youth confab to address critical issues facing the country’s youths.

Other members of the planning committee are Senate Chairman on Niger Delta Development Commission, Asuquo Ekpeyong, Dr Linus Okorie, Dr Garba Aliyu, Babatunde Adeleke, Francis Sani, Azeezat Yishawu, Sara-Igbe Sukubo, Hauwa Ibrahim, Zara Goni, Oladele Nihi, Dare Ojepe, Uchechukwu George Egbe, among others.