Nigeria to Host 2025 Youth Creative Conference in Abuja

Nigeria is hosting the 2025 Youth Creative Conference (YCC) from 22–23 October at the ECOWAS Headquarters in Abuja.

The event, organised in partnership with the African Union (AU) and the YCC Organising Committee, is expected to attract over 1,000 young leaders and delegates from across Africa and the diaspora.

The conference will provide a platform for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration aimed at strengthening peacebuilding and advancing sustainable development on the continent.

With the theme “Silencing the Guns: Pathway for Peacebuilding in Africa,” the gathering highlights the pivotal role of young people in promoting peace, innovation, good governance, and regional integration.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, stressed the strategic significance of the event, noting its alignment with the African Union Agenda 2063, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Nigeria’s foreign policy pillars of the Four DAs – Democracy, Diaspora, Development, and Diplomacy.

“With 70 percent of Nigeria’s population made up of young people, we recognise their potential as peacebuilders, innovators, and architects of Africa’s future. This conference provides a vital platform for youth-led dialogue, creative exchange, and inclusive development,” the Minister stated.

The Conference Objectives include; Empower African youth to champion peacebuilding and sustainable development; Promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and good governance among young people; and Strengthen regional and international partnerships for youth-led development and peace.

Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to peace and regional solidarity, the Minister highlighted the country’s active role in peacekeeping and mediation efforts in Libya, Syria, and The Gambia, as well as its leadership on security, governance reforms, climate action, digital transformation, and inclusive education.

Speaking on the growing impact of the Youth Creativity for Change (YCC) Initiative, Convener Blaize-Kizito Ndukwe praised its rapid continental recognition since its launch just four months ago.

He explained that the initiative leverages youth creativity as a tool for peace, employing innovative, non-violent approaches that reflect Africa’s diversity.

The African Union, through its Silencing the Guns flagship initiative, also reaffirmed support. Mr. Ernest Nya Dolo, Coordinator of the AU’s Silencing the Guns Unit, said:

Mr Solo said;  “Youth are not just the future, they are the present. By partnering with young people across the continent, we are laying the foundation for sustainable peace and inclusive development.”

The Silencing the Guns initiative operates through a Master Roadmap of Practical Steps, placing youth engagement at the core of efforts to build a conflict-free Africa, in collaboration with regional economic communities, governments, civil society organisations, youth networks, and traditional leaders.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and its partners called for sustained collaboration to empower African youth as agents of peace, unity, and prosperity