Stakeholders at a APAF youth, Peace and Security Conference have called for greater youth participation in peacebuilding, entrepreneurship and national development.
The conference focused on advancing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognises young people as important partners in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
The event carried the theme, “Empowering Youth Through Skills, Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Sustainable Peace and Inclusive Development.”
Participants said Nigeria needs to move beyond discussing youth inclusion and create practical opportunities for young people to shape decisions that affect their lives.
Speakers urged young Nigerians to take an active role in resolving conflicts through dialogue.
They also encouraged young people to lead with commitment and responsibility.
One of the participants stressed that every young person has a role to play in building peace.
The participant also encouraged the girl child to speak up and participate in peacebuilding efforts.
The call reflects one of the central principles of UN Security Council Resolution 2250.
The resolution urges countries to give young people a meaningful voice in decision-making at local, national and international levels. It identifies participation, protection, prevention, partnerships, and disengagement and reintegration as five key pillars.
The conference comes as Nigeria continues to face security and economic challenges that affect millions of young people.
The World Bank says Nigeria must absorb about 3.5 million people who enter the labour force each year. It also identifies weak job creation and limited entrepreneurial opportunities as major challenges.
Insecurity adds another layer to the problem.
Nigeria continues to face banditry and kidnapping in parts of the North-West, insurgency in the North-East and separatist agitations in the South-East.
These challenges can limit access to education, employment and business opportunities.
They can also push vulnerable young people further away from productive economic activities.
Stakeholders therefore argued that peacebuilding must connect with economic empowerment.
Participants encouraged young Nigerians to develop practical skills and pursue entrepreneurship.
They also highlighted creativity and innovation as tools for economic growth.
The message is especially relevant as the country works to connect skills development with decent work.
UNICEF Nigeria reported this week that young Nigerians are calling for stronger pathways from skills development to jobs, livelihoods and economic independence. The organisation said young people also want a greater role in designing policies that affect them.
Access to finance remains another important part of the challenge.
For many young Nigerians, acquiring a skill does not automatically create a sustainable livelihood.
They may also need funding, mentorship, markets, technology and business networks.
Participants placed particular emphasis on the participation of young women and girls.
They urged young people to ensure that the girl child does not remain outside conversations about peace, leadership and development.
The UN Youth, Peace and Security framework supports meaningful participation by young people, while its implementation guidance also stresses inclusion and the removal of barriers to participation.
For Nigeria, greater inclusion could help bring more perspectives into community-level peacebuilding and national development discussions.
The conference also encouraged young Nigerians to choose dialogue over confrontation when addressing disagreements.
Participants said young people should not wait for others to solve the challenges facing their generation.
Instead, they urged youths to use their skills, creativity and ideas to contribute to their communities.
The conference’s message is that peace requires more than security responses.
It also requires opportunities for young people to learn, work, create businesses and participate in decisions.
As Nigeria continues to confront insecurity, unemployment and social pressures, stakeholders said empowering young people could strengthen both peacebuilding and inclusive development.
