Group Outlines Factors Hindering Youth Engagement In Governance

The executive director Lugard Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative, Okwutepa Aminu Oseni, has identified inadequate understanding of governance systems, weak organisational coordination, and inadequate advocacy skills as major factors retarding the ability of youths to engage more effectively in governance and accountability processes.

He stated this on Wednesday at a One-Day Youth Social Accountability LAB For Young Change Makers In Kogi State With Support From Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), held at the Edge Drive Hotel in Lokoja.

According to him, the social accountability LAB is one of the activity under the Strengthening Youth Social Accountability Project (SYSA-P).

He noted that The project is designed to strengthen the capacity of youth leaders and youth-focused organization across Kogi State to engage more effectively in governance and accountability processes.

“It addresses key gaps such as inadequate understanding of governance systems, weak organizational coordination, and inadequate advocacy skills among youth group.

“The overall goal of SYAP is to create an enabling environment where young people can effectively engage governance processes, track public resource utilization, and influence decision-making, while also fostering a culture of accountability in their communities.

“Young people constitute the largest demographic in Nigeria, yet their voices remain underrepresented in governance and decision-making. SYAP is designed to change this narrative by equipping youth with the skills and platforms to actively shape governance outcomes.

“Through this project, young people will not only hold leaders accountable but also model integrity and responsibility in their own leadership.This project is timely, as Nigeria continues its democratic consolidation and states like Kogi seek to strengthen citizen participation and transparency.

“By focusing on budget monitoring, National youth policy domestication and youth-led accountability, SYAP will contribute to building a generation of young leaders who are informed, empowered, and committed to good governance.

“Today training is significant to the SYAP in Kogi State because young people will be empowered with knowledge on how to conduct social audit in there various local government, Budget Analysis, learn advocacy skills to demand accountably from Government official. We invite civil society organizations, government stakeholders, development partners, and the media to join us in amplifying the voices of youth as champions of accountability in .

“Together, we in Kogi State as well as Nigeria at large can strengthen institutions, rebuild trust in leadership, and advance Nigeria’s journey toward inclusive governance,” he said.

In his contribution, the executive director of RECEF and Co-chair Open Government Partnership, (OGP), Ambassador Idris Ozovehe Muraina, called on the youths to always ask questions about things that relates to their welfare.

A member of Kogi House of Assembly representing Bassa State Constituency and House Committee chairman on Youth and Sports, Hon. Sunday Daku, promised that the House will continue to prioritize legislations on the well-being and better living conditions for the youths of Kogi State.