Nigeria’s Youth Must Help Shape and Monitor Public Policy, NILDS Chief Says

Nigeria’s young people should no longer be treated merely as beneficiaries or electoral tools, the head of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies said in Abuja.

NILDS Director-General Abubakar Sulaiman called for a fundamental change in how the country approaches youth development. He spoke at the 2026 State of the Nigerian Youth Dialogue, held under the theme “A Youth-Centred Nigeria: From Policy Commitments to Meaningful Investment and Action.” His remarks were delivered by Joke Akinsanmi, the institute’s director of training and international cooperation.

Sulaiman said the programme’s combination of youth-organisation expertise, practical policy knowledge and institutional placements reflected global best practices. He said the dialogue could become a catalyst for actionable policies, sustainable development and meaningful change, while reaffirming NILDS’ support for the initiative.

“

Nigeria sits at a crucial development crossroad, with roughly 60% of its population under 30. This youthful majority holds immense potential for creativity and economic transformation.

The scale of the challenge is reflected in Nigeria’s demographics, with roughly 60% of the population under 30. Sulaiman described this youthful majority as a large source of creativity and economic transformation, but said young Nigerians continued to face severe socio-economic difficulties. He pointed to policies that remain unimplemented, unfulfilled political promises and systemic exclusion from governance.

“Nigeria sits at a crucial development crossroad, with roughly 60% of its population under 30,” he said. “This youthful majority holds immense potential for creativity and economic transformation.” But, he added, “We must therefore shift from mere dialogues and political rhetoric to strategic interventions into evidence-based budgetary advocacy, policy accountability, and institutional commitments.” The dialogue was jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, NILDS, Democracy Convening Alliance, ActionAid and Plan International Nigeria.

“

We must therefore shift from mere dialogues and political rhetoric to strategic interventions into evidence-based budgetary advocacy, policy accountability, and institutional commitments.