To address youth unrest and promote inclusivity in governance, the Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced moves to enact a law that will ensure a minimum of 30% youth representation across all tiers of government, according to the Minister for Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim.
Dr. Ibrahim made this announcement during a program commemorating International Youth Day 2024, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
“The current administration is fully committed to empowering Nigerian youth, and as a testament to this commitment, the Federal Executive Council has already approved a 30% youth inclusion policy,” Dr. Ibrahim stated.
However, she emphasized that the government is working diligently to institutionalize this policy by transforming it into law.
Her words: “We are preparing to take a bill to the parliament and are seeking all the support we can get to ensure that this bill is advocated for and passed into law. This will guarantee a minimum of 30% youth inclusion across all tiers of government.
“If the bill is passed, it will significantly alter the composition of the nation’s leadership, ensuring that young voices are represented at the highest levels of government.”
Dr. Ibrahim further elaborated on the potential impact of the bill, noting, “With 48 ministers in the cabinet, this bill could ensure that at least 15 young people under the age of 40 are part of the cabinet in the next dispensation.”
She stressed that increasing youth participation in governance is crucial for rapid national development, particularly in policy-making and financial autonomy.
The Minister called for widespread support to ensure that young Nigerians have more opportunities to influence decisions that affect their lives and the future of the nation.
“Youth participation in governance is not just a matter of inclusion; it’s about harnessing the energy, creativity, and innovation that young people bring to the table,” she said.
The youth dialogue, held held under the theme “Forging the Future: Youth-Led MSMEs Innovating with Digital Solutions to Secure Sustainable Growth, Global Trade, and Resilient Food and Energy Systems,” attracted over 250 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from across Nigeria.