The National Youth Council of Nigeria has announced the cancellation of this year’s International Youth Day celebrations, citing the need to prioritize addressing the country’s economic challenges.
The council’s president, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo, stated that the decision was made in solidarity with the #EndBadGovernance protesters who lost their lives and to draw attention to the severe economic hardship and widespread hunger affecting millions of Nigerians.
The NYCN has submitted a position paper to the government, containing recommendations to alleviate hardships and strengthen the role of Nigerian youth in national security intelligence, according to Daily Post.
The council is calling on President Bola Tinubu to take swift action to address the economic crisis, including convening a National Youth Conference, launching a national peer-to-peer program, and implementing immediate relief measures such as subsidies on essential goods and job creation programs.
The NYCN’s move is seen as a bold step to bring attention to the plight of Nigerian youth and to urge the government to take decisive action to address the country’s economic challenges.
The document, it said, contained recommendations to alleviate current hardships and strengthen the role of Nigerian youth in national security intelligence.
It stated: “In light of the ongoing economic crisis—marked by rising inflation, high unemployment rates, and growing discontent among the youth—we believe it is necessary to prioritize addressing these pressing issues over celebratory events.”
