, Nigeria, has convened the second Northern Nigeria Youth Stakeholders Conference 2026 in){kind=link}
KATSINA — The Network for Good Governance and Transparency (NGGT), Nigeria, has convened the second Northern Nigeria Youth Stakeholders Conference 2026 in Katsina, bringing together youths, government officials, academics and other stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting youth development, peace and good governance.
The one-day conference, held at the State Secretariat Conference Hall, was organised as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of Katsina State.
With the theme, “Beyond Potential: Why Youth-Led Leadership, Peace and Community Action Matter for Northern Nigeria,” the conference provided a platform for participants to examine ways of strengthening youth participation in leadership, community development and governance across the region.
Declaring the conference open, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Engineer Dr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma, described the gathering as timely, stressing the important role of young people in nation-building and the creation of a prosperous society.
The minister, who was represented by Associate Professor Mukhtar Alkasim, said the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development had introduced reforms aimed at improving youths’ access to affordable housing.
According to him, about 50,000 housing units are currently being constructed across the country, with 12 northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory, expected to benefit from the housing initiative.
In a keynote address, the Katsina State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Engineer Yazid Abukur, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Dutsi, commended NGGT for its continued commitment to youth development.
He said the Katsina State Government would continue to introduce initiatives designed to improve the welfare and future prospects of young people in the state.
Earlier, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Comrade Bilal Lawal Kurfi, said the conference was designed to bring youths and key stakeholders together to discuss practical ways of promoting youth development, grassroots peace-building, good governance and sustainable development.
Kurfi also commended Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for what he described as his administration’s commitment to institutional reforms, economic revival and youth-focused initiatives.
He expressed hope that participants would make meaningful contributions and present recommendations capable of addressing challenges confronting young people in Northern Nigeria.
In a goodwill message, the Chief Executive Officer of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engineer Dr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, praised the organisers for placing youth development at the centre of the conference.
Abdulaziz disclosed that work was ongoing on the installation of a 330kV transmission line from Kano to Katsina, alongside plans for new substations in Mashi, Katsina, Dutsin-Ma, Kufi and Malumfashi.
He said the projects were expected to strengthen electricity supply and create an enabling environment for businesses, industries and job opportunities.
The conference also featured academic presentations, including a paper by Dr. Kabir Umar Musa Yankadi of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, titled “Beyond Potential: Why Youth-Led Leadership, Peace and Community Action Matter for Northern Nigeria.”
Another paper, “Evidence-Based Policies and Programmes: Sincere Implementation and Social Inclusion as the Ultimate Panacea for Sustainable Growth,” was presented by Dr. Junaidu Abdulkadir.
Participants subsequently engaged in a question-and-answer session, exchanging views on youth participation in governance, peace-building, economic empowerment and sustainable development.
The event ended with the presentation of awards to three distinguished indigenes of Katsina State in recognition of their contributions to youth development and community advancement.
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