Youth Council Launches New Drive To Empower Young Nigerians
Atume Terfa
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has launched a renewed plan to strengthen youth involvement in governance, community service and economic empowerment, marking a major step toward positioning young Nigerians as active contributors to national development.
At the inauguration of the NYCN Eti-Osa Local Government branch in Lagos, Chairperson Omo’ba Adeola Alimot Adetoro underscored the importance of empowering young people to serve their communities meaningfully. She described youth engagement as “a pathway to nation-building,” urging young Nigerians to embrace leadership, discipline, and civic responsibility.
National NYCN President Solomon Adodo echoed this stance, noting that the council was entering “a new era of revitalisation” — one that places youth not just as beneficiaries of policy, but as partners in governance.
The council’s new agenda outlines three key areas of focus: Governance Participation: Encouraging youth inclusion in local government administration and civic monitoring to strengthen accountability and transparency.
Skill and Enterprise Development: Expanding training opportunities in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation to boost self-reliance.
Community Development: Mobilising youth across the 774 local councils for environmental sustainability, education, and public health initiatives.
Adetoro explained that “youth involvement in service must go beyond slogans — it must reflect in how communities function and grow.”
NYCN leaders announced plans to collaborate with ministries, development partners, and private-sector organisations to provide mentorship, funding, and internship opportunities for youth across Nigeria.
According to Adodo, “Young people must be partners in governance, not protestors on the margins. Our future depends on integrating youth energy into systems that deliver public value.”
Experts note that for the initiative to succeed, it must overcome key challenges — including weak implementation frameworks and limited local-level engagement. Analysts from The Guardian Nigeria and The Nation highlight that sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity will determine its true impact.
Still, optimism remains high. With Nigeria’s youth representing more than 60% of the population, the initiative could redefine how national service is perceived — from a temporary program to a lifelong civic duty.
From Lagos to Abuja, the message from the NYCN is clear: young Nigerians are ready to serve, innovate, and lead. Whether through community projects, tech-driven initiatives, or public administration, the youth are being positioned not as the leaders of tomorrow but as the leaders in service today.
