UNODC, LEAP Africa, NYFF Advocate Youth Participation, Inclusion In Political, Economic Conversations

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), LEAP Africa, a youth-focused leadership development organisation, and Nigeria Youth Future Fund (NYFF) have advocated for the participation and inclusion of young people in Nigeria’s political and economic conversations.

They made their positions known during the NYFF @ 5 Convening, held in Abuja on Wednesday, to mark five years of supporting youth-led organisations across Nigeria through philanthropic funding and capacity development.

Implemented by LEAP Africa, with support from the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Luminate, NYFF celebrated the achievements, contributions and impact of young Nigerians driving positive social change.

Speaking at the event, the Country Representative for UNODC in Nigeria, Cheikh Ousmane Touré, said Nigeria’s youth represent 70% of the population, and the future of the country depends on them; hence, they must be part of every process, be it political, economic, or otherwise.

Ahead of next year’s general election, Touré called on Nigerian youth to be part of the conversation and for their perspectives to take the lead in shaping the country’s future.

“Nigeria’s youth represent 70% of the population, and the future of this country depends on its youth. And if we don’t make space for the youth at the table and ensure that their positions are taken in key decision-making, we cannot build an inclusive future for them.

“They need to be part of the discussion. So in this election, we call them to observe, to be part of that conversation and to let the youth perspective take the lead in the future of Nigeria,” he added.

Also speaking, the Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni emphasised the need for
young people to be at the centre of strong conversations, with deep research and heightened awareness not just of their rights but also of their central role in nation-building.

Ayeni explained that the NYFF
created in 2021, has done quite a few things, from resourcing organisations and initiatives to providing capacity building to ensuring that not only are initiatives well supported but also that the agency of young people is catalysed through many means.

“So we’re talking about 22,000 Nigerians across the country. This is a pan-Nigerian project; it is not a standalone project serving only Abuja or Lagos, but one that is very intentional about ensuring that most states are covered in large numbers.

“So when I say most, I mean it’s easy for you to say a couple of participants here and there, but we are going for diversity and inclusion. We have included not only the states, but we are also looking at minority groups, the IDPs, the people with disabilities, just so that we are covering a wide range.

“So beyond the numbers, the direct interventions also look like a thousand people, initiatives, institutions, organisations and young people that have received direct grant training and support to participate in global shaping events not only in Nigeria but also outside Nigeria.

For her part, the Director of the Nigeria Youth Future Fund, Dr Onyeche Agbiti-Douglas, lamented the stereotyping of young people as inexperienced and called for their inclusion in major decisions and positions in the country.

“A major challenge really has been the stereotyping, and of course that has now affected the resourcing, the support and investments that have been made in young Nigerians.

“My key message is, young Nigerians account for 60 to 70% of our population. Just in terms of numbers, when we do our development planning, it makes sense that our priorities and resourcing go to the group that accounts for the largest share of Nigerians. They are bright, they are capable, as we…

“So my encouragement to government is, as it’s thinking about everything from health to education to security, that it remembers that 60 to 70 per cent of its population are under 30. And so any solutions that we come up with have to have them in mind. Another point I think is important to make is that, beyond seeing them as beneficiaries of government policy, we should now view them as partners in progress. They have ideas. They have solutions…,” Agbiti-Douglas said.

A major highlight of the convening was the launch of the NYFF Five-Year Impact Report, which showcases the Fund’s journey, achievements and contributions to youth development in Nigeria.