Kaduna Govt, UNFPA, Youth Groups Launch Process for Costed Youth Implementation Plan

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government, with support from UNFPA, has started developing the Kaduna State Youth Implementation Plan 2026–2030. Youth advocates see this as a vital step toward turning the revised Youth Policy into real benefits for young people.

This was announced in a statement signed by Sumayya A. Hussaini, Lead of the Society for Equitable Development Foundation and Co-Chair of the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend, YAC-DD.

The statement followed a Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting held on Thursday, July 9, 2026, organized by the Kaduna State Ministry of Youth Development with help from UNFPA.

Hussaini emphasized that no matter how well-written a policy is, it cannot change lives on its own. It only becomes meaningful with a clear implementation plan that includes setting priorities, assigning roles, mobilizing resources, establishing timelines, and creating mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability.

“One of the key objectives of the engagement was to orient stakeholders on the revised Kaduna State Youth Policy and collectively agree on the process that will guide the development of a Costed Implementation Plan, CIP, for the period 2026–2030,” she stated.

She highlighted that this process is especially important for Kaduna, where over 80% of the population is under 40. She said it creates an opportunity to ensure that commitments in the Youth Policy do not remain on paper but are translated into practical actions that address the realities, hopes, and needs of young people.

Hussaini explained that the journey has already started with stakeholder engagement and understanding of the revised policy. The next steps will include collecting structured data, gathering evidence, drafting technical documents, and aligning with key frameworks such as the Kaduna State Demographic Dividend Roadmap, budget plans, and other strategic development goals.

She noted that the plan will be fully costed to ensure that activities are linked to realistic budgets and that implementation is supported by credible resource planning.

Once the draft is ready, the process will move into a wider consultation phase. Both online and in-person meetings will be held to gather feedback from the public, especially those who did not participate in the initial drafting, to ensure the priorities reflect the everyday realities and diverse experiences of young people across the state.

After these consultations, the feedback will be reviewed and incorporated where appropriate before the document is validated. During validation, stakeholders will review the near-final draft to ensure it reflects agreed priorities, practical strategies, and achievable timelines.

“After validation, the Implementation Plan will be finalized to guide action from 2026 to 2030,” Hussaini stated. She added that government agencies, development partners, civil society groups, the private sector, and young people themselves will all have important roles in turning the plan into reality, with progress monitored regularly.

She urged young people in Kaduna to stay informed and get involved in the process.

“For every young person in Kaduna State, this is an invitation to stay informed and be ready to participate because this journey belongs to all of us. Whether you are a student, entrepreneur, farmer, artisan, creative, person with a disability, young professional, or community volunteer, the success of the Implementation Plan depends on participation, ownership, and commitment,” she said.

Hussaini encouraged youth advocates and the public not to wait until the document is finished to get involved, stressing that meaningful chances for engagement will stay open throughout the process.

“Let us stay informed. Let us participate. Let us hold one another accountable. The journey has begun. Let’s walk it together,” she concluded.