Development experts and youth advocates have renewed calls for the full inclusion of young people in governance and policy formulation across Nigeria and Africa, stressing that sustainable progress cannot be achieved without their active participation. The appeal was made in Abuja during the launch of the Youth-Friendly Standard, a framework aimed at improving how governments and institutions engage with young people in decision-making processes.
Adamu: Youths Are Already Leaders of Today
Speaking at the event, Youth Adviser of the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab, Hashim Adamu, said young people are no longer waiting for the future to lead. He emphasized that the narrative of young people being leaders of tomorrow is outdated, as they are already contributing meaningfully to national and continental development today.
Adamu stressed that excluding youths from governance would only limit innovation and reinforce outdated systems. He urged institutions to work closely with young people rather than treating them as passive observers. "Listen to young people, but more importantly, stand with them. Not in front of them, not behind them, but side by side with them," he stated.
He explained that the Youth-Friendly Standard will help organizations assess how effectively they involve young people and improve inclusion in policy and programme design. The initiative, under the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab, aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development across Africa and Europe.
Souare: Africa's Future Tied to Its Youth
Chief Executive Officer of COMDEV Africa, Mamba Souare, also urged a shift in mindset, noting that young people are not just beneficiaries but active contributors to development. "The future of this world is in Africa. But how can we lead the world without including young people today?" he asked.
Souare added that meaningful youth participation is essential for Africa's economic and social transformation. He highlighted that the continent's potential can only be unlocked if young people are given a seat at the decision-making table.
