*By bringing young people from five locations across Nigeria to the National Assembly, the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Model United Nations Conference is providing a practical platform for developing the next generation of leaders, diplomats and responsible global citizens.*
By Olumide Bajulaiye
*By bringing young people from five locations across Nigeria to the National Assembly, the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Model United Nations Conference is providing a practical platform for developing the next generation of leaders, diplomats and responsible global citizens.*
The future of leadership is not shaped only in classrooms. It is also nurtured through conversations, negotiations, constructive disagreements and opportunities for young people to understand how decisions are made and how those decisions affect the world.
This is the thinking behind the Nigerian Tulip International Colleges Model United Nations (NTICMUN) 2026, which brought together 120 students from Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Abuja and Lagos for its second edition at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The three-day conference, which opened on October 29 and ended on October 31, 2026, was organised in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement.
More than an extracurricular activity, the gathering offered students an opportunity to step into the world of international diplomacy, assume the responsibilities of representatives of different countries and engage with some of the complex issues confronting the global community.
For the participating students, the experience was an opportunity to move beyond reading about international relations in textbooks to experiencing, albeit through simulation, the processes that shape international cooperation and decision-making.
Learning diplomacy through experience
At the heart of NTICMUN is the belief that young people learn leadership more effectively when they are given opportunities to practise it.
Through simulated United Nations proceedings, participants assumed the roles of country representatives, examined international challenges, articulated policy positions, negotiated with fellow delegates and worked towards resolutions.
These activities exposed students to the demands of diplomacy, where effective communication, patience, research, persuasion and the ability to accommodate opposing views are essential.
The experience also challenged participants to appreciate that global problems rarely have simple solutions. Issues such as insecurity, economic inequality, humanitarian crises and social injustice require dialogue, cooperation and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
By placing students in these situations, NTICMUN provided a practical learning environment in which they could develop critical thinking, public speaking, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
These are not merely skills required by future diplomats. They are essential qualities for leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and responsible citizens.
Three committees, one global responsibility
The conference featured three major committees, each focusing on important areas of international engagement.
The Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) provided a platform for discussions on global security and the challenges associated with maintaining international peace.
The Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) focused on economic development and financial issues, encouraging participants to examine the challenges and opportunities confronting countries in an increasingly interconnected world.
The Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee (SOCHUM), meanwhile, addressed issues relating to social justice, humanitarian concerns and cultural cooperation.
Together, the three committees exposed participants to the broad range of responsibilities involved in international governance.
They also encouraged students to understand that development, security and human welfare are interconnected, and that addressing one often requires progress in the others.
Why the National Assembly matters
Perhaps one of the most significant features of the 2026 conference was its choice of venue.
Holding the opening and closing ceremonies at the National Assembly, particularly within the House of Representatives Wing, gave the programme an added dimension.
The National Assembly is one of the most important institutions of Nigeria’s democracy. It is where laws are debated, national policies are examined and decisions affecting millions of citizens are made.
Bringing young students into this environment created an opportunity to connect their academic experiences with the realities of democratic governance and legislative responsibility.
It also offered a practical reminder that leadership is not simply about occupying positions of authority but about understanding public responsibility, listening to different opinions and making decisions in the collective interest.
For young people who may eventually pursue careers in public service, politics, law, diplomacy and other leadership fields, such exposure can be particularly valuable.
Preparing young people for national and global challenges
The collaboration between NTIC and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Engagement further underscored the importance of including young Nigerians in conversations about governance and national development.
With young people representing a significant part of Nigeria’s population, creating meaningful platforms for their participation in public affairs is increasingly important.
However, participation must go beyond simply giving young people an opportunity to speak. They must also be equipped with the knowledge, confidence and skills required to contribute meaningfully to national conversations.
This is where initiatives such as NTICMUN become relevant.
By encouraging students to research global issues, defend positions and negotiate solutions, the conference helps cultivate a generation that is better prepared to engage with complex national and international challenges.
It also reinforces the importance of understanding different cultures, respecting divergent opinions and recognising that cooperation is often more productive than confrontation.
Celebrating diversity beyond the conference room
Beyond the formal committee sessions, NTICMUN 2026 also created opportunities for cultural exchange and social interaction.
The Cultural Night and Talent Hunt provided participants with an opportunity to celebrate their diverse backgrounds, showcase their abilities and establish friendships.
With students drawn from five different locations across Nigeria, the activities offered an informal but important platform for cultural understanding and national integration.
In a country as diverse as Nigeria, opportunities for young people to interact, appreciate one another’s differences and discover shared values can contribute meaningfully to building a stronger sense of national identity.
The programme therefore went beyond diplomacy and international relations to embrace creativity, cultural appreciation and social development.
Building on a vision for the future
The second edition of NTICMUN represents a continuation of Nigerian Tulip International Colleges’ commitment to holistic education.
Academic excellence remains important, but preparing young people for the future also requires developing their character, confidence, social awareness and ability to engage responsibly with the world around them.
The conference reflects an educational approach that recognises the importance of combining classroom instruction with practical experiences.
It also demonstrates how schools can create opportunities for students to explore their interests, discover their leadership potential and develop a broader understanding of their responsibilities as citizens.
For the 120 participants, the experience at the National Assembly may be remembered not only for the debates, negotiations and cultural activities but also for the lessons in confidence, tolerance, cooperation and responsibility.
Ultimately, the significance of NTICMUN 2026 lies not simply in the number of students who attended or the committees they participated in, but in the possibilities it creates for the future.
Some of the students may eventually become diplomats, legislators, international development experts, business leaders or policymakers. Others may pursue entirely different careers.
Whatever paths they choose, the ability to communicate effectively, appreciate diverse perspectives, negotiate differences and think critically will remain invaluable.
By giving young Nigerians an opportunity to experience diplomacy and leadership in a practical setting, NTIC is helping to nurture more than academically successful students. It is contributing to the development of informed, confident and globally conscious citizens who can play meaningful roles in shaping Nigeria and the wider world.
*The message is clear: the leaders of tomorrow must be prepared today, and that preparation begins by giving young people the opportunity to learn, participate and lead.*
Olumide Bajulaiye is the Publisher Daily Dispatch Newspaper
