From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State has taken steps to strengthen youth participation in governance by aligning the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Youth Engagement Power Plan with the Kaduna State Youth Policy, ensuring greater youth involvement in policymaking and decision-making.
The initiative was formalised during a policy dialogue on strengthening citizens’ engagement in OGP and democratic governance. The event was organised by the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend, an initiative of the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation.
The dialogue, supported by the Organisation for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), brought together youth leaders, civil society organisations, and government stakeholders under the theme: “OGP Youth Engagement Power Plan: An Enabler for Effective Citizens’ Participation and Engagement in Democratic Governance.”
Developed with direct input from young people and supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Youth Engagement Power Plan is being integrated into the Kaduna State Youth Policy, which provides a framework for sustained government engagement with young people.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, said the Ministry of Youth Development was established last year by Governor Uba Sani to bridge the gap between young people and governance.
“This engagement is not just about participation; it is about building confidence, amplifying voices, and ensuring that young people are actively involved in decision-making processes,” she said.
“As we often say, you are not just part of the government—you are the government. If you do not engage in the policies and issues that affect your lives, then who will carry that responsibility forward? The future rests with you,” she added.
Ibrahim described participants as “Youth Bridges” and urged them to embrace their roles with integrity, innovation, and confidence.
“We are counting on your insights—your fresh ideas, your lived experiences, and your creativity—to help shape policies that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of young people in Kaduna State,” she said.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, the OGP Point of Contact for Kaduna State, Tara Jeremiah Uwah, said the government had created an enabling environment for youth participation through the Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub.
“Kaduna State has opened up the space for young people to engage, which is the first step. The government is not pressuring or restricting them but providing a platform for engagement,” she said.
Uwah added that Kaduna’s model is gaining wider recognition, noting that the state’s OGP Co-Chair, Mubarak Abdulganiy, has represented Kaduna at international forums, including in Kenya, to showcase its youth-led governance framework.
She also noted that Kaduna has one of the highest numbers of youths participating in the OGP Youth Collective globally.
“That is strong evidence that Kaduna State has a well-organised structure that enables youth to engage with government,” she said.
Also speaking, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Planning and Budget Commission, Yerima Zakari Jatau, said the state’s commitment to youth inclusion is rooted in the understanding that democracy cannot thrive without their participation.
“For every democracy to thrive, there is a need for youth involvement. The Kaduna State Government has identified that gap and recognised the importance of youth participation in its activities, programmes, and policymaking,” he said.
Jatau described the forum as “fascinating” and commended the enthusiasm of participants, urging them to embrace the principle of co-creation.
“If young people respond to the call to work together with government, Kaduna State will be better for it,” he said.
The dialogue outlined key objectives, including presenting the OGP Youth Engagement Power Plan in line with the Kaduna State Youth Policy and OGP State Action Plan (SAP III) commitments on citizens’ engagement; identifying priority pathways for immediate implementation; and securing commitments from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to integrate the plan into their annual work plans.
Participants also proposed the establishment of a youth-led OGP monitoring committee to produce biannual progress reports.
Ibrahim assured young people of the government’s continued support for youth-led initiatives and expressed appreciation to development partners for their contributions.
The forum concluded with a call for sustained collaboration, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the “Youth Bridges” platform would serve as a model for youth participation in governance across Nigeria.
