Newly elected President of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Comrade Annum Jethro Terhile has pledged to tackle youth unemployment in the country.
Annum who emerged at the 2025 National Convention of NYC made this known while delivering an acceptance speech at the weekend in Abuja shortly after he was inaugurated, alongside NYC executive members from across the country by the Dr. Yakubu Shendam led board of trustees (BOT) of the NYC.
Annum assured that NYC will collaborate with the government, private sector, and international partners with reputable development initiatives across the globe to create sustainable programmes that will empower youth with skills, resources, and opportunities.
Decrying the challenges of unemployment, underemployment, limited opportunities, and a yearning for platforms faced by youths to hone and showcase their talents, he said in spite of the slight decrease in youth unemployment from 8.00 percent to 7.50 percent, the rate is unacceptable.
This, he said is in addition to the fact that youth underemployment which is equally inimical to youth development is over 10.00 percent.
He warned that an unempowered youth is not only a minus but a danger and threat to the country adding it behooves well-meaning Nigerians to fix the problem by solving what he termed “the Nigerian youth question.”
He remarked that from vocational training to entrepreneurship hubs; from tech innovation labs to agricultural empowerment projects; NYC will build pathways for every young Nigerian to thrive, making sure all youths are carried along irrespective of their tribes or religion.
He assured that NYC under his leadership will not only create jobs but also nurture creators of jobs since the future of Nigeria lies in the hands of its youth.
“To the teeming Nigerian youths: this is your Congress. Your dreams, your struggles, and your aspirations will shape our journey. I promise an inclusive platform where your voices will be heard, your ideas will be valued, and your potential will be unleashed. Together, we will work to ensure government policies align with the needs of our youth, fostering an environment where innovation, creativity and hard work are rewarded,” he stressed.
“To my fellow leaders, Stakeholders, and partners, | extend a hand of collaboration. Let us unite in building a Nigeria where no youth is left behind, where every young person has the tools to succeed, and where our collective energy transforms. challenges into opportunities.”
Earlier on, Shendam charged the new leadership of the NYC to negotiate a better deal with politicians, irrespective of their political leanings ahead of the 2027 poll to improve the well-being of the teeming population of youths in the country.
Various speakers who spoke at the inauguration praised the processed that produced the leadership of the NYC and urged the executives to remain focused in pursuit of programmes and activities that will lead to empowerment and progress of the Nigerian youth.
