The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund and LEAP Africa have urged young Nigerians to move from the sidelines to the centre of decision-making, saying the country’s future depends on its youth.
Speaking at the 5th anniversary event of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) on Wednesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni said young people have the voice, creativity and should be sought in nation building processes.
He urged young people not to tweet away your future ahead of the 2027 polls, urging them to participate in political activities.
Ayeni added: “This is a civic participation, engagement, innovation project itself. It’s basically saying that young people cannot tweet away, for lack of a better word, basically asking that young people should be engaged and find means not to be discouraged, but to also be the center of strong conversations with deep research and heightened awareness of not just their right, but also how they play a central role in nation building.”
Also, UNODC Country Representative, Shakh Toure said youth account for 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population and must be given space at the table.
He stated: “Nigeria’s youth represents 70 per cent of the population and as I say inside, 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.”
On her part, Director, Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, Oyeche Douglas said the story of the last five years was proof of what young Nigerians can do when trusted and resourced.
According to her, Beyond the numbers is having young Nigerians demonstrate very clearly, very powerfully what they are capable of doing when we trust them, give them trust and give them the resources required. That is really what the story of the last five years is about.
Douglas identified stereotyping as the biggest obstacle to youth development in Nigeria.
She added: “As a country, we have stereotypes. There’s a tendency to view young people as inexperienced, and I think that perspective has gotten in the way.
“You’re talking of individuals who are aged 18, 35, 40, depending on the criteria you use. These are people who are working, taking care of their families. Some are married. Some are taking care of their own parents. So you’re talking of the group of Nigerians who are the ones responsible for driving our society, driving our economy.”
That stereotyping, she said, has affected resourcing, support and investment in young Nigerians.
Douglas urged the government to go beyond seeing youth as beneficiaries and treat them as partners.
She added:“Young Nigerians account for 60 to 70 per cent of our population. 60 to 70 per cent of us are aged under 30 years or under.
“Beyond seeing them as beneficiaries of government policy, is now going beyond to actually view them as partners in progress. They have ideas. They have solutions.
“And it’s only through government and citizens sitting together to look at the problems, look at the solutions, and implement together that we can really, truly achieve, solve the problems that we’re having towards our development.”