NGGT Hosts Northern Youth Conference on Regional Development
By Mu’awuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Network for Good Governance and Transparency (NGGT) has convened the second Northern Nigeria Youth Stakeholders Conference (NNYSC 2026) in Katsina State, bringing together youth leaders, government officials, security agencies, civil society organisations and development partners to discuss practical solutions to the challenges facing Northern Nigeria.
The conference, which focused on youth leadership, peace, community action and inclusive development, attracted participants from government, politics, the legal profession, business, security agencies and youth organisations.
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The event featured the themes: “Potentiality: Why Youth Leadership, Peace and Community Action Matter for Northern Nigeria” and “Evidence-Based Programmes, Sincere Implementation and Social Inclusion as Panacea for Development in Nigeria.”
Speaking at the conference, the Secretary-General of NGGT, Ambassador Abdul’aziz Idris Gangara, said the gathering was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on the region’s critical challenges and identify sustainable solutions.
According to him, insecurity, agriculture, livestock production, economic growth and other socio-economic issues require collective commitment and coordinated action from all stakeholders.
Gangara said the conference also sought to harness the knowledge, creativity and innovation of 21st-century youths in addressing national challenges, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliations.
“We must agree that Northern Nigeria has problems and also accept that we are the ones who must fix our problems,” he said, stressing the need for collective responsibility in advancing the region’s development.
He noted that meaningful progress would only be achieved through collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, traditional institutions and young people. He, however, expressed disappointment over the absence of Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, who was expected to serve as the conference’s chief host.
Representing the Dikko/Tinubu Assured initiative, Ibrahim Khalil commended the organisers for providing a platform for constructive engagement and urged Northerners to unite in promoting peace and sustainable development across the region.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Dikko/Tinubu Assured initiative to mobilising and empowering young people to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development.
The conference featured presentations on youth leadership, peacebuilding, community action, good governance, development and social inclusion, with participants advocating evidence-based policies and stronger youth participation in governance.
As part of the event, NGGT honoured the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz; the Director-General of Tinubu Dikko Assured (TDA), Umar Ahmad Zayyad; and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, in recognition of their contributions to national development.
Several other distinguished personalities also received awards for their outstanding service and commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria and the country.
