Kaduna Moves To Deepen Youth Inclusion, Unveils OGP Power Plan

Kaduna State has intensified efforts to deepen youth participation in governance by unveiling the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Youth Engagement Power Plan, as part of measures to strengthen citizens’ engagement and democratic processes.

The initiative was the focus of a one-day multi-stakeholder dialogue held in the state, bringing together key government actors, development partners, and young people to chart pathways for the immediate operationalisation of the plan.

Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Gloria Ibrahim said the engagement reflects the State government’s commitment to bridging the gap between young people and governance.

She noted that youth inclusion remains critical to sustainable development, stressing that the administration deliberately created the Ministry of Youth to institutionalise engagement and give young people a stronger voice in decision-making.

“T” is engagement goes beyond participation.

It is about ensuring that young people are actively involved in shaping policies that affect their lives. The future rests with them, and they must take responsibility for it,” he said.

Earlier, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Point of Contact in Kaduna State, Tara Jeremiah, said the dialogue was convened to move the Youth Engagement Power Plan from documentation to implementation.

According to him, the plan was developed in collaboration with young people, with support from development partners, to ensure that youths are effectively mainstreamed into governance through the OGP framework.

“T” is a programme that is not just an activity; it is a strategic step towards implementing a document that reflects young people’s aspirations. We must align it with the Kaduna State Youth Policy and ensure coordinated execution,” he said.

Jeremiah explained that integrating the plan with existing frameworks would provide a structured platform for continuous youth-government engagement, enabling authorities to design policies and programmes that reflect the real needs of young people.

He disclosed that Kaduna has recorded notable progress in youth inclusion through platforms such as the OpenGov Youth Innovation Hub, which facilitates interaction between the government and youths across sectors.

He added that the state’ sodel has attracted international recognition, with Kaduna youths participating in global OGP engagements and contributing to discussions on open governance.

Participants expressed optimism that sustained collaboration between the government and young people would promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in the State.