Former INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, will headline the inaugural We Care Leadership Conference on 20 August 2026, bringing his distinguished experience in governance, democracy and institutional leadership to a national conversation on youth innovation and nation-building.
Convened by the WeCare Centre for Community Awareness and Empowerment Initiative, the landmark conference will be held under the theme, “Driving Youth Innovation and Alternative Solutions: Pathway to Nation Building.”
It will bring together young people, policy-makers, educators, civil society leaders, development practitioners, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to examine how youth creativity, ethical leadership and community-driven solutions can contribute to Nigeria’s national development.
The conference is being convened as Nigeria seeks more inclusive and practical responses to youth unemployment, unequal access to opportunity, weak social infrastructure and declining public confidence in conventional approaches to national progress.
It will focus on moving beyond discussion to the development of solutions that are innovative, locally relevant, measurable and capable of being sustained.
At the heart of the initiative is the vision of Dr Jamila Mohammed Dahiru, founder of WeCare Centre and former Commissioner for Education in Bauchi State. Drawing on her experience in public education leadership and community empowerment, Dr Dahiru has championed an approach that links education, opportunity and responsible leadership.
“We must prepare young people not only to seek opportunities, but also to create solutions, strengthen their communities and participate meaningfully in nation-building,” Dr Dahiru said.
We Care Leadership Conference is designed to make youth innovation a serious national development agenda. The conference builds on WeCare’s record of community impact across education, women and youth empowerment, humanitarian support, health, digital inclusion, leadership development and civic engagement.
The organisation has supported the reintegration of more than 390 out-of-school children into formal education in Bauchi State, provided over N3million in direct assistance to more than 200 women and young people, and delivered humanitarian, medical, scholarship and educational support to hundreds of vulnerable beneficiaries.
Its leadership-development work is further reflected in the WeCare Leadership and Impact Mentorship Programme (WLIMP) 2026, a 10-week initiative that selected 50 young people from applications received across Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia and Rwanda.
Participants are being equipped with practical knowledge in transformational leadership, governance, civic responsibility, communication, digital skills, entrepreneurship, employability and project management. Through a Capstone Project, they are translating ideas into practical social-impact solutions.
The inaugural conference will extend this vision by creating a platform for serious reflection, cross-sector engagement and collaboration. It will challenge stakeholders to see young Nigerians as innovators, citizens and partners in building a more resilient nation.