The Federal Government has announced that this year’s African/National Youth Day and Festival will hold from November 27-28, 2025, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The event, according to the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, will celebrate the innovation, creativity, and resilience of African youth as agents of change and sustainable development.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja ahead of the celebration, the Minister, represented by his Chief of Staff, Muhammed Abdullahi, described the upcoming festival as a major platform to highlight the potential of young Africans who, he said, “represent not only the future of the continent but its present strength and vitality.” This year’s edition will be held under the theme: “From Aspiration to Action: Youth as Agents of Reparative Justice and Sustainable Development.”
Olawande noted that the 2025 festival goes beyond mere celebration, emphasizing that it will serve as “a platform for dialogue, a meeting of minds, and a catalyst for collaboration.” He added that the four-day event will feature workshops, exhibitions, panel discussions, and cultural performances, all designed to promote inclusion, innovation, and sustainability among African youth.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, the Minister highlighted ongoing investments in education, digital skills, entrepreneurship, creative industries, and civic engagement. He stated that Nigeria continues to work with regional and international partners to ensure young people have access to resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to thrive in a competitive global economy.
Olawande also called on private sector leaders, development agencies, and civil society organisations to intensify their support for youth-led initiatives, noting that a unified and inclusive Pan-African youth agenda is essential for long-term development. “The time has come for a truly Pan-African youth agenda — one that transcends borders and leverages our shared aspirations,” he said.
To Nigerian and African youth expected at the festival, the Minister delivered an inspiring message: “Your voices matter. Your ideas count. Your dreams are valid. The Nigerian and African dream of prosperity, peace, and unity cannot be realised without you. Let this festival ignite new partnerships, bold ventures, and lasting solutions.”
On behalf of the planning committee, the Ministry appealed to state governments, the FCT Administration, private sector players, humanitarian organisations, and philanthropic individuals to support the event. Olawande said every contribution — big or small — would help consolidate a secure and prosperous future for Nigeria and Africa.
