Experts have called on Nigerian youth to step up as key players in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and shaping the country’s future, stressing that real change starts at the community level.
Speaking at a recent Fireside Chat held at the American Corner, Abuja, with the theme “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” panelists emphasized that young people must be seen not just as beneficiaries but as active leaders in driving change.
Suleiman Oshioke Abdulahi, Convener of the event, drew from his experience in youth empowerment, saying, “When young people are empowered, communities are transformed.”
He noted that the SDGs address everyday issues such as jobs, education, climate, and social inclusion, underscoring their relevance to Nigeria.
He further urged participants to look beyond 2030, envisioning the roles young Africans can play in shaping the continent’s future through engagement, collaboration, and partnerships.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Nsikak Okon, Acting Executive Director (N-Power) of NSIPA, described Nigerian youth as “energetic and innovative,” highlighting their demographic strength as 60% of the population.
He encouraged them to lead in areas such as knowledge and digital learning, green startups, fintech, climate action, and governance, citing the Not Too Young To Run law as proof of their potential.
Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Director (Nigeria) of WFD, stressed the need to involve young people early, particularly those aged 18-20, in politics and policy discussions.
Pointing to successes in countries like Canada and France, he called for a mindset shift from seeing youth as passive recipients to recognizing them as drivers of development.
He also noted the continued exclusion of young people, women, and persons with disabilities from governance despite the Not Too Young To Run law, urging deliberate efforts to create space for them in leadership.
Ibrahim Faruk, Program Coordinator for Africa Division at Yiaga Africa and a leading advocate for the “Not Too Young To Run” movement, affirmed that “young Nigerians are taking action in many areas toward achieving the SDGs.”
He emphasized the need to support legislation promoting gender equality, such as a reserved seat for women in the national assembly, to address the “abysmal” representation of women—directly linked to SDG 5.
Faruk also challenged the idea of rapid, large-scale expansion for all initiatives, stating, “Scaring is not always the goal. Not every youth-led action needs to be continental. It’s about strengthening local efforts and building from the ground up.”
He stressed the importance of learning from failure, citing the multiple attempts of the “Not Too Young To Run” movement before its eventual success.
For long-term sustainability, he called for developing a pipeline of younger generations (Gen Z), starting in secondary school, to ensure the continuity of SDG efforts beyond 2030.
He also urged stakeholders to “shift the conversation from projects and programs to people,” to better measure individual contributions and impact.
Sonia Elohor Somuvie, ESG Consultant and Founder of Ecosmart Climate Action Initiative, and a Special Advisor on Environment and Climate, expressed frustration over the slow progress and limited measurable impact of some youth-led initiatives.
She shared her experience where over half of the 3,000+ trees she planted were destroyed.
She identified systemic challenges, including poor communication from the Ministry of Information, inadequate collaboration among government agencies, and suspicion within local communities toward NGOs.
Somuvie underscored the importance of youth being “intentional messengers” to bridge the communication gap between policy and grassroots understanding.
She passionately urged youth to “prioritize what is important to us in Nigeria,” encouraging them to “pick up our party cards, participate actively—even if not seeking office—and contribute ideas during meetings.”
She concluded with a call for intentional collaboration among youth to sustain progress: “If we collaborate intentionally, we can keep this momentum going.”
Isaiak Ugwueke, Government Relations and Partnership Lead at EyeCity Africa, focused on youth employment (SDG 8).
He identified a “systemic gap” between the education and employment sectors, where schools teach outdated information.
He proposed bridging this gap through collaboration between employers and educational institutions—such as involving professionals in curriculum development and inviting them into classrooms.
Ugwueke criticized Nigeria’s “credential-based system,” which prioritizes qualifications over practical skills, leading to job-skill mismatches.
He asserted, “The problem with youth unemployment is not just training young people with more skills—it’s fixing the system. Schools and the private sector need to work together to solve this.”
The Fireside Chat concluded with a strong call to action for youth to foster collaboration, embrace innovation, and hold institutions accountable.
Attendees were encouraged to network and continue the vital work of transforming their communities and shaping Africa’s future.
The event reinforced the message that youth are not just future leaders but current change-makers—whose active participation is essential for achieving the SDGs and fostering sustainable development beyond 2030.
