Nigeria’s democratic future depends on youth

Babatunde Joseph

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, Mr Adigun Ibrahim, has called on young people to take a more active role in governance and politics.

Adigun made the call during the council’s maiden media chat in Lagos ahead of the second edition of the Youth and Governance Symposium.

The CitizenDiary reports that the second edition of the Youth and Governance Symposium is scheduled on 19 June at the University of Lagos.

According to the chairman, the initiative is designed to bridge the gap between young people and policymakers, encourage civic participation, and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“Youth constitute more than 65 per cent of registered voters in Lagos and possess the numerical strength to shape electoral outcomes and influence leadership decisions across the state.

“I urge youth to move beyond social media activism and become active participants in governance. Meaningful change can only occur when young people engage directly in political and leadership processes,” he said.

Adigun added that the first edition of the symposium attracted more than 3,000 participants and recorded significant successes, including increased youth participation in local government elections.

He added that the programme also contributed to the emergence of more young candidates and office holders across various political structures.

“We appreciate the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Hamzat, for choosing one of our own, Damilola Sonayo, as his running mate.

“We are confident that she will advance the interests of young people through her agenda,” he said.

While acknowledging that youth representation remains below expectations, Adigun described the growing presence of young people in leadership positions as a positive development that must be sustained and expanded.

The NYCN chairman also urged political parties to protect the mandates of young candidates who emerged from recent primaries.

According to him, greater youth representation on the ballot will inspire more young people to participate in elections and governance.

He emphasised that empowering young leaders is essential to securing the future of democracy and ensuring that governance reflects the aspirations of the majority of the youth population.

Adigun highlighted the council’s efforts to reach young people across all social and economic backgrounds through grassroots advocacy, vocational training, technology-driven programmes, and leadership development initiatives.

He said the council had implemented programmes such as the Back-to-Street Initiative, tech accelerator projects, and the Lagos Youth Development Institute (LYDI) to equip young people with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive.

“We have impacted youths through strategic partnerships with government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private-sector stakeholders,” he said.

Speaking on the forthcoming symposium, Adigun said the event would feature a fireside chat with the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and interactive panel discussions involving policymakers and youth leaders.

He added that the programme would also include the unveiling of Youth Advocacy Champions and an address by the Minister of Youth Development.

According to him, the event will provide a platform for direct engagement between government officials and young people.

“The symposium will promote accountability, leadership development, and greater youth inclusion in decision-making.

“It will also provide an opportunity for young people to contribute to conversations that will shape the future of governance and development in Nigeria,” he said.

Adigun reaffirmed the council’s commitment to ensuring that no young person is left behind in the quest for a more inclusive, prosperous, and youth-driven society.

Earlier, Mr Abubakar Asoro, Vice Chairman of NYCN Lagos East, said the council had intensified mobilisation efforts for the second edition of the symposium, targeting more than 5,000 participants, compared with the 3,000 recorded last year.

Asoro said the council is also leveraging its network of 58 voluntary youth organisations, 57 local branches, community-based groups, student bodies, persons with disabilities, and ethnic youth associations to ensure broad participation.

He added that registration for the event is free and open to independent youths.