UNODC demands youth inclusion in policy, elections

Key development stakeholders, civil society leaders, and international partners have issued a unified call to dismantle age-based stereotypes and actively integrate young citizens into national decision-making and electoral processes.

They made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) @ 5 milestone event.

Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, urged successive governments to frequently review national youth policies to create accessible platforms, skills training, and direct seat allocations at policy tables.

“Young people have the agency, voice, and creativity to drive solutions for nation-building,” Ayeni noted, emphasising that civic participation must extend beyond social media.

She revealed that the pan-Nigerian initiative has directly reached over 22,000 young citizens and supported more than 1,000 youth-led organisations across all geopolitical zones, with specific inclusion for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and people with disabilities.

Dr Onyeche Elizabeth Agbiti-Douglas, Director of NYFF at LEAP Africa, challenged the pervasive stereotyping of young citizens as “inexperienced”.

Highlighting that youth under 30 account for 60 to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, she urged policymakers to view them as active partners in governance rather than passive beneficiaries.

“When we trust young people and equip them with necessary resources, they demonstrate remarkable leadership in driving our economy and society,” Agbiti Douglas stated.

Delivering an international solidarity message, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Country Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, stressed that Nigeria’s future hinges entirely on its youth demographic.

Ahead of upcoming electoral cycles, Touré called on young citizens to observe, participate, and ensure the youth perspective leads national conversations.

“If we don’t make space for youth at the table and ensure their positions shape key decisions, we cannot build an inclusive future,” Touré declared.

Established in 2021 by LEAP Africa, the NYFF celebrated five years of empowering young Nigerians through capacity building, grant resourcing, and policy engagement.