From: Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
Kaduna State is placing young people in the driver’s seat of governance by aligning the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Youth Engagement Power Plan with the Kaduna State Youth Policy, ensuring youth-led participation in policymaking and decision-making.
This move was formalized during a Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Citizens’ Engagement in OGP and Democratic Governance, organized by the Youth Advocacy Coalition on Demographic Dividend, an initiative of the Civic Impact for Sustainable Development Foundation.
The dialogue, supported by the Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN) and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), gathered youth leaders, civil society organizations, 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 backed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Youth Power Plan is now being incorporated into the Kaduna State Youth Policy, which provides a framework for ongoing government engagement with youth in governance.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Gloria Ibrahim, said the Ministry of Youth was established last year by Governor Uba Sani specifically to bridge the gap between youth 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.”
Barrister Ibrahim called the participants “Youth Bridges,” urging 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 added.
The state’s commitment is already producing measurable results. According to Tara Jeremiah Uwah, the OGP Point of Contact for Kaduna State and a staff member of the Planning and Budget Commission, the government has created an enabling environment for youth participation through the Open Gov Youth Innovation Hub.
“Kaduna State has opened up the space for them to engage, which is the first step. They are not pressuring them, they are not restricting them, they are giving them that platform to engage government,” Jeremiah said.
The impact extends beyond Kaduna. Jeremiah noted that the overall Co-Chair for OGP in Kaduna is a youth, Mr. Mubarak Abdulganiy, who has represented the state at international forums in Kenya to showcase the model of youth-led governance. Globally, Kaduna has one of the highest numbers of youth joining the OGP Youth Collective. “That is very strong evidence that Kaduna State has a well-organized structure that allows youth to engage the government,” he said.
Yerima Zakari Jatau, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Planning and Budget Commission, stated that the state’s deliberate effort to involve young people is rooted in the principle that democracy cannot thrive without them.
“For every democracy to thrive, there is a need for youth involvement. The Kaduna State Government has identified that gap and has also recognized the importance of youth participation in its activities, programs, and policymaking,” he said.
Jatau described the forum as “fascinating,” citing the enthusiasm and commitment shown by the young participants. He urged youth to reciprocate by embracing the principle of co-creation. “If the youth will be able to harken to the call that yes, government is saying come, let’s work together; come, let’s reason together… then Kaduna will be great,” he said.
The dialogue set three specific objectives: to present the OGP Youth Engagement Power Plan in line with the Kaduna State Youth Policy and OGP SAP III commitment on citizens’ engagement; to identify priority pathways for its immediate implementation; and to secure formal commitments from key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to integrate the Power Plan into their Annual Work Plans. It also proposed establishing a Youth-Led OGP Monitoring Committee responsible for producing bi-annual progress reports.
Barrister Ibrahim assured every young person that their matters matter to the government and pledged ongoing support for youth-led initiatives. She also thanked development partners for their role in empowering youth across Kaduna.
The forum wrapped up with a call for continued collaboration, with officials expressing hope that the Youth Bridges platform will serve as a model for youth participation in governance across Nigeria.
