UNESCO, in partnership with the Genda Foundation, ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre and the African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy, convened hundreds of young change-makers at the 4th African Youth Conference in Abuja to empower youth leadership and promote African excellence through innovation, dialogue and policy engagement.

Speaking at the event, the head of UNESCO Abuja office and UNESCO representative in Nigeria, Mr. Mendy Albert, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to youth empowerment and African excellence, as he welcomed delegates.

Delivering his welcome remarks, Mr. Albert highlighted ongoing initiatives like Campus Africa and Harnessing Emerging Technologies, which are designed to empower young people, preserve African identity and promote peace and innovation. He emphasised the alignment of these platforms with the Youth 2030 Strategy and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, stressing that Africa’s greatest asset remains its youth.

According to him, through advocacy, inclusive education, youth policy support and climate action capacity-building, UNESCO and its partners are working to create thriving ecosystems where young people can transform bold ideas into lasting impact. Mr. Albert called on participants to recognise that “Africa is watching, the world is listening and their time is now.”

Representative of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre, Amb. Francis Njoaguani, represented by Mariam Kone, in her opening remarks, urged African youth to see themselves not only as participants but as leaders in the development of their societies. She underscored the power of sports as a tool for unity, economic growth, and peace-building, while calling for policy reforms and platforms that equip youth with tools to lead effectively.

Mrs. Kone noted that the African Youth Congress, now in its third edition, had become a rallying point for building trust and fostering cooperation among diverse communities. She acknowledged the pressing challenges facing young people, but affirmed that the continent’s potential lies not in its future, but in the young leaders emerging today. She commended the Genda Foundation for its leadership and reiterated ECOWAS’ support for youth-led initiatives that drive regional progress.

Ambassador of the African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy, Amb. Martin Ihoeghian, delivered a goodwill message that celebrated the brilliance and determination of African youth. Representing a network of retired career diplomats, he commended the conference theme, “We Are Stars: Thriving in a World of Limitless Opportunities,” as both prophetic and necessary.

Amb. Ihoeghian praised young Africans for excelling in technology, innovation, the arts, and governance, declaring that youth are not just future leaders but the current drivers of Africa’s progress. He emphasized the need for self-led development, reminding delegates that while foreign partners may assist, it is Africans who must shape the continent’s future. He encouraged youth to think boldly, dream without borders, and push Africa into a new era of dignity and relevance.