Stakeholders Urge Government To Invest In Youth Development

Stakeholders have warned that Kaduna State’s growing youth population will determine its long-term economic trajectory, adding that failure to invest strategically in young people could deepen socio-economic challenges.

Speaking at a two-day media advocacy dialogue titled “Amplifying the Implementation of Kaduna Demographic Dividend Roadmap (DDR),” participants said the demographic structure could either translate into prosperity or become a heavy burden.

They noted that achieving demographic dividend requires deliberate investment in health, education, employment, digital skills, and governance.

Presenting key data, Yusuf Isyaku Goje, executive director of the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation, said Kaduna’s total dependency ratio stands at 121.29, meaning 100 working-age adults support about 121 dependents.

The youth dependency ratio of 114.25 shows a high population of children, putting pressure on the productive population.

Stakeholders expressed concern over poor funding of youth-focused policies and inconsistent budget allocations.

They called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, expansion of youth empowerment programmes, and integration of young people into economic planning.

They stressed that without adequate job creation and skills development, Kaduna risks widespread unemployment, crime, and social instability.