By Atlantic Reports

The Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN) has announced that its fifth national conference will take place in Jos, Plateau State, in August 2027.

The society’s president, Prof. Olumide Adesola, disclosed the plans on Tuesday during the unveiling of its new logo in Jos.

She said the conference would bring together experts to explore responses to challenges affecting adolescents and young people, including harmful uses of artificial intelligence and social media, and substance abuse.

The conference theme is “Beyond 2030: Protecting Adolescent Health, Securing the Future”.

Building Support for Young People’s Health

Adesola described the unveiling as the beginning of preparations for the conference, including awareness building, partnerships and mobilisation of support.

“As we look beyond the Sustainable Development Goals timeline, we must sustain our commitment to ensuring that adolescents and young people are healthy, empowered and equipped to contribute meaningfully to national development,” she said.

She called for cooperation among government, families, communities, health professionals, educators and development partners.

Her remarks placed adolescent health within a wider network of support, extending beyond healthcare facilities to homes, schools and communities.

Plateau Pledges Support

Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Baamlong, welcomed the choice of Jos as host city.

Represented by the ministry’s Director of Medical Services, Dr Stephen Ishman, he said the conference would provide an opportunity to address issues confronting young people.

Baamlong said the state government was pursuing skills development and other initiatives to address youth restiveness. He also pledged support for young people to fulfil their potential.

The supplied account did not identify those programmes, their funding or the number of people reached. His expectations of the conference’s contribution remain prospective.

Call for Youth Representation

Dr Pokop Bupwatda, Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital, called for stronger support to help young people overcome the challenges they face.

He also urged government to appoint more young people to strategic positions, linking their development with opportunities to contribute to public decision-making.

The announcement did not specify the conference’s exact dates, venue, registration arrangements or how adolescents and young people would participate in shaping its programme.

That participation will matter as organisers develop the agenda. Alongside expert discussion, the conference offers an opportunity to include young people’s experiences and identify practical commitments that can be followed up after the event.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.