From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Young leaders, government officials, and development partners gathered in Kaduna on 20th June,2026, for the Northwest Youth Summit 2026, the culmination of a year-long Youth Leading Change Program, YLCP, designed to strengthen youth leadership, policy engagement, and regional coordination across the seven Northwest states.
The summit, organized by Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI, with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF, brings together young people, government institutions, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders from Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara around a shared commitment to advancing youth development and improving governance.
In his opening speech, BCAI Executive Director Sani Muhammad said the summit marks the culmination of efforts that trained 35 fellows with practical skills in civic engagement, policy advocacy, and stakeholder coordination, while strengthening 21 youth-led organizations through the Northwest Youth Development Consortium to promote collaboration and collective action on governance priorities.
State-level youth policy dialogue workshops held across the region provided platforms for government representatives, civil society, and young people to evaluate policy realities, identify implementation gaps, and develop practical strategies for action.
At the heart of today’s discussions is the Northwest Youth Policy Agenda, created through these state-level dialogues and stakeholder consultations.
The Agenda reflects shared regional priorities, outlines implementation strategies, and provides a foundation for enhanced coordination among institutions dedicated to youth development in Northwest Nigeria. The summit serves as a platform for policy approval, public endorsement, and institutional alignment.
Sani Muhammad highlighted that the summit shows the value of involving young people as partners in governance.
“Throughout the program, young people and youth-led organizations have proved their ability to contribute meaningfully to policy discussions, community development efforts, accountability processes, and collaborative problem-solving,” he stated.
He encouraged participants to engage and build partnerships actively, noting that the summit’s success depends on turning commitments into real outcomes for young people.
The North West Development Commission (NWDC) supported the regional approach in its Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer’s speech, Prof. Shehu Abdullahi Ma’aji.
Ma’aji described the Northwest as being at a critical point, with challenges ranging from economic opportunity gaps to social cohesion that require stronger institutions, smarter policies, and a reimagining of who leads change.
Across the seven Northwest states, young Nigerians continue to demonstrate resilience, innovation, and leadership. They are not waiting for development to come to them. They are driving it,” Prof. Ma’aji stated.
He praised BCAI, NYFF, the Kaduna State Ministry of Youth Development, and youth agencies across the region for organizing the summit under the theme “From State Action to Regional Impact: Advancing Youth Development in Northwest Nigeria.” Prof. Ma’aji said the Northwest Youth Development Agenda, developed through consultations in all seven states, reflects the priorities and collective voices of communities.
Its approval and endorsement at the summit, he added, will be a key milestone, providing a shared framework for coordinated, transparent, and impactful youth development.
He reaffirmed NWDC’s dedication to initiatives that expand opportunities, build human capital, and promote long-term prosperity, emphasizing that young people should be viewed not as passive recipients but as the architects of the region’s future.
Kaduna State, as the host, welcomed participants through the Honorable Commissioner for Youth Development, Barr. Gloria Ibrahim.
She noted growing awareness that sustainable youth development requires strong institutions, responsive policies, and meaningful collaboration between government and young people.
“Kaduna remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote youth participation, strengthen institutional collaboration, and create pathways for young people to contribute meaningfully to governance and development,” Barr. Ibrahim said. She urged participants to share their experiences openly and work together to develop practical solutions to strengthen youth development across the region.
The summit’s main objectives focus on four areas: officially endorsing the regional Youth Policy Agenda with specific policy status in each state, defining next steps, assigning responsible institutions, and setting timelines; obtaining clear commitment statements from each participating government on priority actions; highlighting youth leadership and the work of fellows and youth-led organizations; and establishing a structured coordination system to monitor progress on commitments and maintain momentum beyond the summit.
With prior alignment at the state level, the summit now turns to formal adoption and institutional coordination. Organizers said the framework will encourage shared responsibility and ensure that actions agreed upon translate into measurable improvements for young people throughout Northwest Nigeria.
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