AYPSC Workshop

Africa–Europe Cooperation for Critical Infrastructure Resilience

Nigeria at the Forefront: Emerging Voices, Rising Together Youth Powering Regional Infrastructure Protection

Wdnesday 22nd October 2026 – 2pm-3.30pm

Co-Hosted by:

As the international communities continue to confront diverse threats to critical infrastructure—from cyber disruptions and climate shocks to energy insecurity and health crises—a more inclusive and collaborative response is urgently needed. Historically under-represented, Africa’s young people are now stepping into leadership roles, developing innovative solutions, and advocating for more secure, inclusive systems.

Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and economic powerhouse, is uniquely positioned to lead on young people-driven resilience efforts. This side event, held on the margins of Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe (CIPRE), offers a platform to elevate African young people voices and foster cross-continental dialogue and cooperation with European counterparts.

Objectives

• To highlight Nigeria’s role as a leader in young people engagement on critical infrastructure protection in Africa.
• To facilitate dialogue between African and European people and institutional stakeholders on resilience-building.
• To share real-life young people-led innovations and approaches from Nigeria and other African countries.
• To lay the groundwork for a formal young people platform focused on infrastructure protection cooperation between Africa and Europe.

Target Participants

• African and European young people and industry leaders and innovators
• Policymakers and government officials from both continents
• Infrastructure and cybersecurity professionals
• Representatives of the AU, EU, UN, and development partners
• Academic and civil society actors

AGENDA

Opening Session :
Welcome address & keynote: “From Abuja to Brussels: Why Young People Must Lead the Next Era of Infrastructure Resilience”

Part 1 :
“Young People at the Crossroads: Africa–Europe Partnerships for Infrastructure Resilience”
Panel discussion highlighting opportunities, challenges, and success stories.

Part 2 :
“Nigeria at the Forefront: Young People Powering Regional Infrastructure Protection”
Dialogue on Nigeria’s national leadership, innovation, and young people participation in resilience planning.

Part 3 :
“NextGen Solutions: Young People Innovations for Critical Infrastructure”
Young people-led pitches and showcases of real-world projects.

Part 4 :
“Co-Designing Young People-Led Africa–Europe Resilience Platforms”
Interactive roundtable generating practical recommendations and frameworks.

Closing Remarks :
Summarising outcomes and proposing the launch of the Young People for Infrastructure Resilience Africa–Europe Network (YIR-AEN).

Expected Outcomes

• Strategic recommendations for enhancing young people roles in transnational infrastructure security
• Strengthened Africa–Europe partnerships focused on inclusive resilience planning
• Visibility for Nigerian young people leadership in global policy circles
• Momentum for establishing a permanent young people dialogue platform

Participation in this Workshop is complimentary and open for delegates to CIP Week and CIPRE.

SPEAKERS:

• Aigbe Osagie Daniel, Systems Security Engineer, Major Solar
• Omotola James, Travel, Tourism & Immigration Advisory Specialist
• Paul Igbinere, Executive Director, African Young People Support Centre

Register online at www.cipre-expo.com/register