The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged Nigerian leaders to prioritise young people’s concerns and involve them in decision-making.
UNFPA Deputy Representative in Nigeria Muriel Mafico made the call on Wednesday at the opening of the in-person session of the 2026 National Youth Conference in Abuja. The conference’s theme was “Next Gen Nigeria: Crafting Solutions, Owning the Future.”
She said youth participation was critical to building an inclusive and prosperous nation.
“The conference provided an opportunity for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions to national challenges and take ownership of the country’s future.
“Nigeria’s young population has the potential to shape not only the country’s future but also the African continent and the wider world,” she said.
Mafico said Africa’s time was now, given the many opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to development.
She quoted UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem as describing Africa’s young people as among the world’s greatest unrealised assets, stressing that they were not merely the future, but also the present.
Mafico said feedback from a recent UNFPA survey showed that unemployment, the rising cost of living, poverty, education, skills development and mental health were among young people’s main concerns.
She urged leaders to listen to young people and align government priorities with their needs, aspirations and development goals.
Mafico commended the Minister of Youth Development for supporting the National Youth Policy, noting that young people had been consulted during its development.
She described their involvement in policy formulation as a demonstration of inclusive leadership and a commitment to addressing their needs.
Mafico reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting platforms that promote youth participation, saying young people’s voices must be heard and their priorities reflected in policies and programmes.
She said experience around the world showed that involving young people directly in decision-making produced sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.
Mafico urged delegates to speak boldly, express their concerns and propose practical solutions to help Nigeria’s development.
She pledged that UNFPA would continue to listen, support the implementation of the National Youth Policy and hold itself accountable to young people.
Mafico called for collective efforts to build an inclusive and prosperous Nigeria, stressing that responsibility for shaping the country’s future rested with both young people and leaders.
