THE Senior Special Assistant to the President on Students Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, has described Nigerian youths as active partners in nation building, stressing that they are not just leaders of tomorrow.

Asefon stated this on Wednesday in a message to mark the 2026 International Youth Day celebration with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

He said the theme is a powerful reminder that despite differences in background, culture and location, young Nigerians share common hopes for quality education, decent opportunities, meaningful employment, innovation, inclusion, and security.

“Although young people come from different backgrounds, cultures, communities, and circumstances, we share common hopes and aspirations: access to quality education, decent opportunities, meaningful employment, innovation, inclusion, security, and a future where our talents can translate into impact,” he said.

The presidential aide noted that his engagements with students across universities and institutions have strengthened his conviction in the capacity of Nigerian youths.

He added that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to creating an environment where young Nigerians can acquire relevant skills, access education, embrace digital opportunities, and develop entrepreneurial capacity.

“Through initiatives in education, skills development, digital acceleration, student support, entrepreneurship and innovation, we are working to ensure that no young Nigerian is left behind,” Asefon stated.

He urged youths to see themselves not only as beneficiaries of government programmes but also as co-creators of the Nigeria they desire.

He called on them to embrace innovation, acquire new skills, promote peace, reject violence, and use their collective energy to solve national challenges.

“Our different contexts should never become barriers to our common aspirations. Whether a young person is in Lagos or Lafia, Enugu or Ekiti, Kano or Calabar, our dreams remain connected by a desire for a better Nigeria,” he added.

Asefon celebrated the courage, creativity, resilience and potential of Nigerian youths, and reaffirmed his commitment to continuous engagement with students across the country.

“Let us transform our different contexts into diverse strengths and our common aspirations into collective action,” he said.

He concluded by wishing all Nigerian youths a Happy International Youth Day 2026.