The Niger Delta Youth Parliament has announced plans to hold its first-ever Youth Day Celebration and Conference in 2026, describing the initiative as a major platform to reshape youth engagement, development policy and cultural identity in the region.
Speaker of the Parliament, Rt. Hon. Ifon Daniel Samuel, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday ,saying the event is designed as a multi-stakeholder gathering that will bring together government agencies, policymakers, development partners, private sector actors and cultural institutions.
He said the programme would not only focus on dialogue but also practical empowerment, including grants and other development opportunities for young people across the oil-rich region.
According to him, one of the key outcomes of the confab would be the development of a Niger Delta Youth Development Policy, which is expected to serve as a roadmap for youth empowerment, innovation and participation in governance.
Samuel explained that the initiative would feature youth dialogues, cultural exhibitions, policy recommendations and networking sessions aimed at equipping participants with skills relevant to emerging economic realities.
He said the celebration would also serve as a platform to showcase the cultural heritage of the Niger Delta while promoting unity, peace and sustainable development.
“The Niger Delta is home to a dynamic youth population with enormous potential to turn challenges into opportunities for economic stability and regional peace,” he said.
He added that the confab would focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership development and environmental sustainability, while also addressing gaps in youth participation in governance.
The Speaker noted that the programme is expected to serve as a pan-regional forum for young people to exchange ideas, interrogate development models and propose solutions to longstanding challenges in the region.
He stressed that the objectives include strengthening cross-cultural understanding, preserving cultural identity, promoting peace and recognising contributions of both historical and contemporary figures in the Niger Delta.
The Youth Day Celebration, according to him, will also provide a platform for showcasing youth-led innovations, especially those addressing environmental, economic and social issues.
Samuel further stated that the initiative would document at least 10 cultural traditions of the Niger Delta through performances and exhibitions, as part of efforts to preserve the region’s heritage.
He said the confab is expected to deepen socio-economic advancement, encourage structured policy dialogue, and strengthen youth input in regional development planning.
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