By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria will host the 2025 Youth Creative Conference (YCC) from October 22nd to 23rd, 2025, at the ECOWAS Headquarters, Abuja, with over 1,000 young leaders and delegates expected from across Africa and the diaspora.
Organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in collaboration with the African Union (AU) and the YCC Organizing Committee, the high-profile event will focus on the theme: “Silencing the Guns: Pathway for Peacebuilding in Africa.”
The Ministry, through its Director of Information and Public Relations, Omolara Esan, disclosed in a statement that the conference aims to spotlight the critical role of youth in driving peace, innovation, good governance, and regional integration.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described the conference as strategically aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and Nigeria’s foreign policy pillars – the Four DAs: Democracy, Diaspora, Development, and Diplomacy.
“With 70% of Nigeria’s population comprising young people, we recognize their potential as peacebuilders, innovators, and architects of Africa’s future,” Olawande said.
“This conference provides a vital platform for youth-led dialogue, creative exchange, and inclusive development.”
He outlined the key objectives of the conference to include: Empowering African youth to champion peacebuilding and sustainable development. Promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and good governance and Strengthening regional and international partnerships for youth-led development and peace
The Minister reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to peace and regional solidarity, highlighting the country’s active roles in peacekeeping and mediation efforts in Libya, Syria, and The Gambia, as well as leadership in security, governance reform, climate action, digital transformation, and inclusive education within Africa.
Meanwhile, Blaize-Kizito Ndukwe, Convener of the Youth Creativity for Change (YCC) Initiative, commended the growing impact of the platform, which has gained continental recognition just four months after its launch.
“YCC leverages youth creativity as a powerful tool for peace, utilizing innovative and non-violent approaches that reflect Africa’s diversity,” Ndukwe noted.
Also reaffirming support, Mr. Ernest Nya Dolo, Coordinator of the AU’s Silencing the Guns Unit, emphasized that youth are not just the future, but the present force for peace and change in Africa.
“By partnering with young people across the continent, we are laying the foundation for sustainable peace and inclusive development,” he stated.
The Silencing the Guns initiative, one of the AU’s flagship projects, operates through a Master Roadmap of Practical Steps, placing youth engagement at the heart of efforts to achieve a conflict-free Africa.
The Ministry and its partners concluded by calling for sustained collaboration with governments, civil society, regional bodies, youth networks, and traditional leaders, to empower African youth as agents of peace, unity, and prosperity.
.
