The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 30-day National Youth Conference, labeling it a “wasteful” exercise aimed at distracting the public from the government’s failures.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the conference, announced during Tinubu’s Independence Day address, as an ineffective attempt to address the concerns of Nigerian youths. According to the rights group, the initiative lacks substance and ignores the deeper issues affecting the country’s young population.
A “Cash-Guzzling Charade”
HURIWA referred to the conference as “forum shopping,” accusing the government of using the event to mask its shortcomings.
“This so-called National Youth Conference is nothing more than a cash-guzzling charade, destined to achieve little to no meaningful outcomes,” HURIWA stated.
The organization argued that instead of hosting another “talk shop,” the government should prioritize solving critical challenges faced by Nigerian youths, such as poor infrastructure, economic stagnation, and rising unemployment.
HURIWA Blames Government Failures for Youth Struggles
HURIWA also criticized the government’s handling of the economy, stating that young Nigerians are disproportionately affected by the nation’s economic decline. The group pointed to the depreciation of the Naira as a key factor driving unemployment and poverty, with over 133 million Nigerians now living in multidimensional poverty, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The association noted that previous government initiatives, including similar national conferences, had failed to deliver any tangible or lasting results.
“History has shown that such conferences are nothing but wasted efforts, absorbing vast amounts of public funds without delivering real solutions. This youth conference will be no different,” HURIWA emphasized.
Youth Migration and Unemployment
HURIWA further argued that the lack of infrastructure and opportunities in Nigeria is driving an increase in irregular migration as youths search for better opportunities abroad. The organization expressed frustration that, despite this harsh reality, the government continues to promise youth inclusion initiatives without meaningful follow-through.
“The youths are among the hardest hit by the Naira’s depreciation, a direct result of the administration’s poor economic policies. This has led to widespread unemployment and deepened poverty levels, yet the government is choosing to distract the youth with an empty conference instead of addressing these issues head-on,” the statement read.