By: Femi Mustapha
The Youth Advocacy Coalition on Dividend Roadmap has praised the leadership of Kaduna State for its efforts in leveraging its demographic dividend and prioritizing youth development.
A statement released and made available to the media emphasized the state’s ongoing commitment to institutionalize and implement the Kaduna State Demographic Dividend Roadmap (DDR) for 2024.
The statement was co-signed by Sumayya Abdul Hussaini (Co-chair, Kaduna State OGP TWG on Strengthening Social Protection System), Christopher Atsen (State Coordinator, Young African Leaders Initiative – YALI), Usman Idris Abdullahi Idris (State Organizing Secretary, National Youth Council of Nigeria – Kaduna Chapter), Hassan John (Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria – YAN), Seth Luke (Co-chair, Kaduna State OGP TWG on Strengthening Participatory Budget Process), and Waniya Ilu (Head of Participatory Governance, Civic Impact for Sustainable Development).
The coalition expressed gratitude to Governor Senator Uba Sani and his administration for re-establishing the Ministry of Youth Development, calling it a “landmark achievement” that demonstrates their political will to prioritize young people in policy-making.
They also acknowledged the 2024 review and development of the DDR, which was backed by partners such as the FCDO-Lafiya Programme and UNFPA. The roadmap aligns with Governor Sani’s SUSTAIN Manifesto and highlights a commitment to evidence-based human capital investment.
Referencing the 2025 Third Quarter Kaduna State Budget Implementation Report, the youth group noted that the state achieved a 94% performance on youth-targeted programs, spending over N14 billion and exceeding budget allocations for health (15%), education (26%), and agriculture (10%).
They emphasized that these results demonstrate that Kaduna is “a state that leads, innovates, and sets the pace for others to follow.”
To ensure effective implementation of the DDR, the coalition urged Governor Sani to approve the establishment of a Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Office of the Deputy Governor, as part of the Human Capital Development (HCD) Strategic Team.
They suggested that the Ministry of Youth Development act as the TWG’s secretariat, ensuring high-level coordination, multi-sectoral engagement, and sustained accountability.
The youth advocates argued that institutionalizing the TWG would make Kaduna the first sub-national entity in Nigeria to adopt such a forward-thinking, demographic-driven model.
They believe this would be a historic milestone celebrated by Kaduna’s youth for generations, providing long-term social and economic benefits for a population that is 83% young, according to the 2020 Kaduna Demographic and Health Survey.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the coalition’s commitment to supporting the government, engaging stakeholders, and championing initiatives that will secure a prosperous and inclusive future for all young people in Kaduna State.
