In commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day, youth leaders in Ogun State have called for stronger structural inclusion and deeper collaboration with government to advance youth development in the state.
They made the call on Wednesday at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, NYP, 1st Stakeholders Townhall Meeting and Ogun Youth Dialogue held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
Speaking at the dialogue, the member representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the 6th Assembly of NYP, National Assembly, Olukoyejo Morenikeji, said the engagement was timely as the state approaches a period of political transition.
Morenikeji advocated for the creation and activation of a standalone Ministry of Youth Development to serve as a dedicated channel for youth-focused programmes and policies.
“Ogun State is at a trajectory moment of transition and continuity, and it’s a political season. We are trying to ensure that youth inclusion is key in the next administration’s agenda,” he said.
“We used to have it before 2023. In 2023, there was an expansion to a combined youth and sports ministry at both state and federal levels. The state has replicated the Sports Development, and we appeal that Youth Development be replicated as well,” he said.
He noted that with Ogun State having one of the highest concentrations of tertiary institutions in the country, there is a need for deliberate plans to harness the potential of young people, including creatives and artisans.
“A dedicated ministry will help coordinate opportunities for our young people and ensure that their voices are properly channeled,” Morenikeji added.
The youth parliamentarian also recommended a review of appointments on youth-related matters to ensure they align with the official youth age bracket of 18 to 35 years, to guarantee authentic representation.
“If people within the youth bracket are part of decision-making, then our concerns will be better understood and addressed,” he said.
He further urged the government to fast-track the finalization and integration of the Ogun State Youth Policy 2026-2030, which he said has been vetted by the Ministry of Justice and submitted to the House Committee on Youth Development earlier this year.
The document, he explained, was drafted to align with the National Youth Policy 2019 as amended.
In her welcome address, the member representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Iyanuoluwa Sonde-Ikokoh, said the theme of this year’s International Youth Day, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reflects the shared goals of young people.
“We want access to quality education. We want decent opportunities. We want to be heard. We want to participate in decisions that affect our lives,” she said.
Sonde-Ikokoh emphasised that young people should be part of conversations where decisions are shaped, not just invited after decisions have been made. She described the townhall as a platform to bridge the gap between youth and institutions, professionals, and policymakers.
Also speaking, State Officer for Tracka in Ogun State, Toheeb Bisiriyu, encouraged young people to engage actively in governance discussions to influence public spending and policy.
He noted that governance information is accessible to anyone interested in national growth, and urged more youth participation in townhall meetings and other civic spaces traditionally dominated by older stakeholders.
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