Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for the establishment of a deliberate and forward-looking framework for youth leadership development, describing it as essential to Nigeria’s sustainable progress.
Speaking on Monday at the Abuja Dialogue 2026, convened by the Office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Shettima warned that Nigeria’s status as one of the world’s youngest nations would yield little benefit without strategic institutional investment.
He stressed that the country’s demographic strength must be matched with purposeful national planning, noting that it should no longer be treated as mere rhetoric in public discourse but as a strategic reality requiring top-level policy attention.
“We are one of the youngest nations on earth. That fact should not be treated as a line for conferences or a statistic for brochures. It is a national condition with profound consequences,” the Vice President said.
Shettima emphasised that Nigeria’s future would depend not only on its natural resources or government programmes, but on the systems established to ensure leadership continuity and national development.
He described the Dialogue as a timely platform for reflection, particularly as governments worldwide respond to rapid changes in technology, economics, and public expectations. According to him, leadership must be deliberately cultivated through structured pathways that prepare young people for responsibility.
“Youth leadership is not a ceremonial handover. It is a structured process through which young people are prepared, trusted, integrated, and supported within institutions,” he said.
The Vice President further called for reforms across education, public service, enterprise, and civic institutions to support youth inclusion, stressing that leadership matures through experience and accountability.
Addressing young Nigerians, Shettima urged them to embrace responsibility and prioritise the common good over personal comfort.
“Leadership is defined by readiness to bear consequences and take the long view,” he added.
He also commended Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy for organising the Dialogue, describing it as a significant contribution to national development.
In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu said the Dialogue reflects the Federal Government’s recognition of the importance of youth leadership development. He highlighted the role of the Academy as a platform for public sector exposure, mentorship, and policy engagement for young Nigerians.
The governor noted that the Academy operates within a broader ecosystem that includes youth-focused initiatives such as employment programmes, digital innovation schemes, and entrepreneurship support.
Also speaking, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, underscored the importance of deliberate investment in youth leadership, describing it as critical to institutional strength and national development.
Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said Nigerian youths are prepared to contribute meaningfully to national growth, assuring that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to creating enabling platforms for youth participation across sectors.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, commended the partnership between the Federal and Lagos State governments in advancing youth-focused policies.
She noted that the Dialogue presents an opportunity to elevate youth leadership development as a core pillar of governance, economic growth, and institutional resilience.
The event brought together policymakers, development partners, and young leaders to deliberate on strategies for strengthening youth participation in leadership and nation-building.
