From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Network for Good Governance and Transparency (NGGT), a non-governmental organisation, has held the second Northern Nigeria Youth Stakeholders Conference (NNYSC 2026) in Katsina State to discuss the challenges confronting the region and explore practical solutions.
The conference focused on youth leadership, peacebuilding, community action and inclusive development.
It was attended by government officials, politicians, security agencies, members of the legal profession, business leaders, civil society organisations and youth groups.
The event was held under 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 meeting was organised to provide a platform for stakeholders to deliberate on major challenges confronting Northern Nigeria and identify practical ways of addressing them.
He listed insecurity, agriculture, livestock production, economic development and other socio-economic challenges among the issues requiring collective action.
Gangara said the conference also aimed to harness the knowledge, creativity and skills of 21st-century youths in addressing the country’s challenges, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political differences.
He urged stakeholders to acknowledge the problems confronting Northern Nigeria and accept collective responsibility for finding sustainable solutions.
“We must agree that Northern Nigeria has problems and also accept that we are the ones who must fix our problems,” he said.
According to him, the participation of stakeholders from different sectors was necessary because addressing the region’s challenges requires contributions from all segments of society.
Gangara, however, expressed concern over the absence of Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umar Radda, who was expected to serve as the chief host.
Representing the Dikko/Tinubu Assured, Ibrahim Kalil commended the organisers for convening the conference and called on Northerners to work towards the development of the region.
He said the Dikko/Tinubu Assured would continue to mobilise young people towards contributing to the development of the country.
The conference also featured presentations on youth leadership, peacebuilding, community action, good governance, development and social inclusion.
The organisers also recognised several personalities for their contributions to the development of Northern Nigeria and the country.
Those honoured included the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz; Director-General of Tinubu Dikko Assured (TDA) and staff member at the Presidential Villa, Umar Ahmad Zayyad; and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida.
Other personalities were also recognised for their contributions to the development of Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.
