The youth wing of the Conference of Autochthonous Ethnic Nationalities Communities Development Associations (CONAECDA Youth) has joined young people across the world to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day, calling for greater investment in education, job creation, and inclusion of indigenous youth in governance and development processes.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the celebration, CONAECDA Youth said this year’s United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reflects the shared hopes and dreams of young people despite differences in their social, economic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds.
The statement was signed by the National Youth Coordinator of CONAECDA Youth, Peter Abin Bahu, and the President, Dekete Paul Joshua.
The organisation noted that while youths around the world face varying realities, they all aspire to dignity, quality education, decent employment, meaningful participation in decision-making, and a sustainable future.
CONAECDA Youth stressed that the theme is particularly relevant to indigenous and autochthonous youths in Nigeria’s Middle Belt and northern regions, who continue to confront unique challenges while playing significant roles in the development of their communities.
The group explained that CONAECDA is a network of community development associations representing hundreds of indigenous ethnic groups across 15 states of the federation, working to promote community development, indigenous language education, and the protection of land rights.
According to the statement, the youth wing focuses on empowering the next generation of leaders to preserve their languages and cultures, strengthen local development efforts, and advocate for the rights and sustainable future of their communities.
A representative of CONAECDA Youth said the occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and leadership of indigenous youths, many of whom face limited access to quality education, economic opportunities, and challenges arising from climate change and cultural preservation.
“Whether in rural communities facing limited access to quality education and economic opportunities, or in contexts shaped by climate pressures and cultural preservation needs, our young people share the same dreams as youth everywhere to thrive, contribute, and build better societies,” the representative stated.
The organisation maintained that different circumstances should not translate into unequal opportunities, urging governments and stakeholders to ensure that indigenous youths are not left behind in national development efforts.
To address the challenges confronting young people, CONAECDA Youth called for greater investment in quality education, including mother-tongue and indigenous language instruction, as well as expanded opportunities for decent work and skills development tailored to local realities.
The group also advocated meaningful inclusion of indigenous youth voices in decision-making processes at community, state, and national levels, while urging stronger partnerships to support cultural preservation alongside sustainable development.
It further called for collective action to remove barriers that disproportionately affect youths from minority and autochthonous communities.
CONAECDA Youth reaffirmed its commitment to building the capacity of young leaders, promoting intercultural dialogue, and strengthening collaboration among member associations to enable indigenous youths realise their full potential.
The statement urged governments, development partners, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to recognise that investing in young people across all contexts remains essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and ensuring that no one is left behind.
