The newly elected President of the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), Comrade Annum Jethro Terhile, has declared his readiness to partner with federal government agencies and the private sector to tackle youth unemployment in the country through skill acquisition and empowerment initiatives
In his acceptance speech shortly after he was inaugurated alongside NYC executive members across the country by the Dr. Yakubu Shendam led board of trustees (BOT) of the NYC at the weekend in Abuja, Comrade Jethro who was elected at the 2025 National Convention of NYC, listed unemployment as among the major issues contending with the Nigeria youths.
Assuring 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, Comrade Jethro warned of the danger unemployed youths posed for the country.
He, however, emphasized that, NYC will prioritize collaborations with the government at all levels, the 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 to excel and contribute meaningfully to the Nigerian economy.
He promised an inclusive platform where the voices of Nigerian youths will be heard, their ideas valued, and their potentials unleashed.
Highlighting some challenges faced by Nigerian youths such as unemployment, underemployment, limited opportunities, and a yearning for platforms to hone and showcase their talents, Comrade Jethro pointed out that despite the slight decrease in youth unemployment from 8.00 percent to 7.50 percent, more needs to be done to address the myraid challenges.
He added that an unempowered youth is not only a minus but a danger and threat to the country, stressing, it behooves on well-meaning Nigerians to fix the problem by solving what he termed “the Nigerian youth question.”
The President remarked further 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 said: “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, i 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.”
In his remarks earlier, 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.
Other 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.
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