The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has decided to cancel this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) celebrations in solidarity with the #EndBadGovernance protesters who tragically lost their lives recently.
In a statement issued on Monday, NYCN President Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo explained that the cancellation reflects the organization’s deep concern over the severe economic challenges and widespread hunger affecting millions of Nigerians.
The NYCN has submitted a comprehensive position paper to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Youth Development Minister Dr. Jamila Ibrahim, and the National Assembly. This document includes recommendations aimed at alleviating current hardships and enhancing the role of Nigerian youth in national security efforts.
The statement highlighted the urgency of addressing pressing issues over celebratory events in the face of the ongoing economic crisis, characterized by rising inflation, high unemployment, and increasing discontent among the youth.
The NYCN is calling on President Bola Tinubu to act on key recommendations from the position paper, which include organizing a National Youth Conference to foster dialogue between government officials and youth leaders. The goal of this conference would be to address critical issues and develop solutions to the economic challenges facing the country.
Additionally, the NYCN advocates for the federal government to implement a national peer-to-peer program designed to offer constructive engagement opportunities for the youth, thereby reducing support for protests. Immediate relief measures are also recommended, such as subsidies on essential goods, job creation programs focused on youth, and support for SMEs to enhance employment opportunities.
The NYCN urges the government to invest in vocational training and educational programs tailored to industry needs, in partnership with the private sector.
The council emphasized the importance of prioritizing these recommendations, asserting that prompt and decisive action is crucial for addressing immediate economic difficulties and restoring hope and stability to the nation.
 has decided to cancel this year’s International Youth Day (IYD) celebrations in solidarity with the #EndBadGovernance protesters who tragically lost their lives recently.){kind=link}