Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, have called for meaningful integration of young people into Nigeria’s governance and political processes.
They made the call on Thursday at the 10th anniversary celebration of the I Am Change (IAC) organisation in Abuja.
In his keynote address, Jega praised the organisation for sustaining youth-focused programmes for a decade, noting that its work demonstrates the importance of structured mentorship and civic engagement in preparing young Nigerians for leadership.
“It is easier to create organisations than to sustain them, especially youth-focused groups,” he said. “IAC has proven that consistent civic education, mentorship and leadership training can equip young people to participate meaningfully in governance and decision-making. We cannot claim a fully functioning democracy if the youth are excluded from governance structures and policy processes.”
Bagudu, in his remarks, underscored the demographic and economic implications of youth involvement. He noted that Nigeria records over eight million births annually, a trend that represents both an opportunity and a national challenge.
“If we invest in youth education, skills and leadership today, we are securing the future of our democracy and economy tomorrow,” he said, urging government, civil society and the private sector to create more platforms for youth inclusion.
“Youth are not just beneficiaries; they are key drivers of change. Organisations like IAC demonstrate the impact of structured engagement, mentorship and empowerment,” the minister added.
IAC’s Executive Director and Founder, Hafsat Uman Shinkafi, said the organisation was founded in 2015 to tackle youth exclusion, unemployment, insecurity and poor civic awareness. She noted that with over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 35, empowering young people remains essential to national development.
“Over the past decade, IAC has trained hundreds of young Nigerians through our Leadership and Mentoring Academy, civic engagement programmes, and community empowerment initiatives,” she said. “Our mission is to ensure youth are active participants in shaping Nigeria’s democracy, not passive observers.”
She also highlighted key projects, including electoral awareness campaigns during the 2019 and 2023 elections, the Except With Me civic action project in partnership with LEAP Africa, and community leadership programmes across several states.
The anniversary, themed “10 Years of Impact: Changing Lives, One Act at a Time,” drew diplomats, development partners, community leaders and beneficiaries of IAC’s initiatives.
Shinkafi said the organisation’s next decade will focus on scaling leadership training nationwide, expanding civic education in schools, and strengthening advocacy to ensure youth voices influence governance at all levels.
“Building the next generation of credible and visionary leaders is not a task for tomorrow — we are training them today,” she said.
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